Each year, September is named as Blood Cancer Awareness Month. This awareness month was initiated
to educate communities and to bring attention to the fight against blood
cancer. According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS), blood cancers are the third
leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Furthermore, blood cancers are the most common
cancers among children, adolescents, and young adults. For those impacted by blood cancers, as
with many diseases, early detection is often the most important factor in determining treatment
success.
In 2024, it is estimated that 187,740 people would be diagnosed with a blood cancer.
Furthermore, approximately every 3 minutes one person in the U.S. is diagnosed with a blood
cancer. There are many different types of cancers that can affect the bone marrow, the blood
cells, the lymph nodes, and other parts of the lymphatic system, which include leukemia,
lymphoma, myeloma, and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Under these main types of cancer
types there are more specific forms of cancers.
The most common types of blood cancers are leukemia and lymphoma. According to the
American Cancer Society, Leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells but can start in other
blood cell types. There are several types of leukemia, which are divided based on how fast or
slow they may grow, and where it starts. As for lymphoma, it is a cancer that starts in cells that
are part of the body’s immune system. Due to the different types of leukemia and lymphoma,
there are different treatments for each, which make it important to know which type you may have.
Understanding the importance that early detection is key to treatment success, the Texas
Legislature made improving patient access to treatments a priority. The passage of House Bill
21, in the 85th legislative session, known as the “Right to Try Act”, allowed patients with
terminal illnesses to have increased access to potentially life-saving treatments. In addition to
this bill, the legislature also allocated additional resources towards cancer research and
prevention programs, such as the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). In
the 86th legislative session, members passed HB 39, which repealed time limitations on the
award of grants by CPRIT.
To learn more about blood cancer and the significance of this awareness month, please
visit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society https://www.lls.org/. Additional information about
risk factors and prevention information is also available by visiting the American Cancer Society
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/leukemia.html.
If you would like to review more about the legislature, please visit the Texas Legislature
Online. If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article,
please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. As always, my offices are available at
any time to assist with questions, concerns, or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District
Office; 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Aransas County and Nueces County (Part). He can be contacted
at todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us or at 512-463-0672.
