What are the symptoms?
That’s why the Argentine Lymphoma Civil Association (ACLA) relaunched its #CouldItBeaLymphoma campaignemphasizing the dissemination of their Main signs and symptoms: growth -generally painless– of one or more lymph nodes, persistent fever (by below 38°), unintentional weight loss, night sweats, persistent itching all over the body, fatigue, cough and shortness of breath.
1 in 5 patients identify symptoms of lymphoma before diagnosis
On this point, Dr. Astrid Pavlovsky, a hematologist, medical director of the Pavlovsky Hematology Center and a lymphoma specialist, emphasized that “Many lymphomas do not cause symptoms and can be diagnosed as incidental findings during routine monitoring or any image requested for another reason.”
“In many cases, the patient notices a painless tumor without any other accompanying symptoms. It may also be the case that the patient presents specific symptoms, which are the gateway to starting studies. There are many types of lymphomas with different clinical presentations, different treatments and different prognoses. For this reason, a specific diagnosis made by a team of experts, which includes biologists, biochemists and physicians, is essential,” he added.
In Argentina, only One in five patients with lymphoma can identify symptoms before diagnosisaccording to the results of a survey conducted by the Global Network of Lymphoma Patient Groups and 6 out of 10 take 6 months to consult a doctor since they experience the first symptom. “It represents one of the highest figures in the regionwhich shows that we still have to work hard to raise awareness and knowledge of the disease in our country,” explained Haydée González, patient and president of ACLA Lymphoma is a oncohematologic disease of the lymphatic systemwhich integrates the immune systemIt is caused by a abnormal cell growth that affects the production of certain white blood cells (lymphocytes), keys to the control of infections and other attacks.
What happens after diagnosis
Once the disease is diagnosed, the following follow: multiple medical shifts, control studies, taking medication and many aspects of life are altered. Sometimes, they must also accommodate routines, tasks and responsibilitiesboth at home and at work.
A critical aspect appears and it is the managing emotions. In the latest international survey carried out by the Lymphoma Coalitionin which our country participated, More than 75% of patients reported experiencing anxiety, concern about their image, changes in relationships, fear, isolation, low self-esteem, signs of depression and/or post-traumatic stress. In this regard, Haydée González said that “fear continues to be the main problem for patients every time the survey is conducted, whether it is the fear of relapse – that the cancer returns after periods of complete remission – or the progression of the disease, that it advances.”
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The latest international survey, called GPS 2022: Global Reporthad the participation of more than 7 thousand patients from all continents, including Argentines, and revealed that half are afraid of relapse and progression of the disease. “Fear of cancer recurrence is common and can paralyze a person, affecting their quality of life. It is associated with anxiety, depression and isolation; it can also hinder the ability to plan for the future,” ACLA explained. Speak sincerely Talking to family, friends, coworkers and health professionals about these issues can help manage emotions and help others empathize with the situation the patient is going through.
In order to overcome fears, not become paralyzed and be able to continue with life, the Lymphoma Coalition highlights that The first step is to recognize these emotions; second, to know how to ask for help; and third, to take steps to – progressively – become fully aware of the problem, address each fear, learn to manage uncertainty, regain control of one’s own life, achieve better stress management and improve communication between doctor and patient. “Although fear is common in this type of disease, perhaps this indicator will improve in the 2024 edition of this survey, the results of which are expected to be released soon, in light of the hope generated by the new treatments that we have available today and those to come, which provide more options to those patients who have relapsed after previous therapies,” said Lic. Mariana Godoy, psycho-oncologist at ACLA and former Hodgkin’s Lymphoma patient.
In this regard, Dr. Pavlovsky described that in recent years “there has been a paradigm shift in the treatment of lymphomaswith the rise of targeted therapies, immunotherapies and the most recent, bispecific antibodies, with dual mechanisms of action. For each patient profile and for each stage of the disease – especially relapses after several lines of treatment – we have more options, which allows us to obtain better results, deeper and longer-sustained remissions, which translates into patients who live longer and better.”
World Lymphoma Day
By the World Lymphoma Daythere were activities in Córdoba, San Luis, La Plata, CABA, Mendoza and Santa Fe, They illuminated monuments and buildings in orange, among them: the Planetarium, the Puente de la Mujer and the Lezama Palace in the City of Buenos Aires and many emblematic monuments of cities in the interior. There will also be informative talks for the community in several health centers from different provinces and Blood donation campaigns with bone marrow registration such as, for example, at the Italian Hospital of La Plata on September 19. On September 25, Dr. Graciela Alfonso will give a webinar on Follicular Lymphoma through ACLA’s zoom. In addition, the association permanently share content on their social networkswith the aim of promoting early diagnosis and access to treatment, and providing tools for patients to better manage their emotions.
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Courtesy of CNN
The Civil Association of Lymphomas of Argentina It is an association non-profit who works providing information, creating meeting spaces and offering guidance to patients with lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndromes and myelofibrosisin order to help raise awareness of the disease, providing support and thus contributing to improving the quality of life of people living with these diseases.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
