Leukemia, Lymphoma Awareness raised by students
By Lindsay Banecker
Issue date: 12/3/07 Section: Features
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Lymphoma is a general term for a group of cancers that originate in the lymphatic system. The lymphomas are divided into two major categories, Hodgkin lymphoma, also known as Hodgkin's disease, and all other lymphomas, called non-Hodgkin lymphomas which are much more common.
About 71,380 people living in the United States will be diagnosed with lymphoma in 2007. This figure includes approximately 8,190 new cases of Hodgkin lymphoma.
The annual incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma has almost doubled over the last 55 years. The reasons for this increase are not certain.
As Hodgkin lymphoma progresses, it compromises a person's ability to fight infection. Signs and symptoms of lymphoma include painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin, persistent fatigue, recurrent high fever, sweating at night, troublesome itching and weight loss.
Stephanie Dunn, a third-year communications major, had a scare last year when she felt a small lump underneath of her jaw.
"I didn't think it was too serious but I called my mom to ask her what she thought it could be," Dunn said.
Her mother reminded Dunn that her uncle has passed away from Hodgkin's Disease.
"That's when I got nervous," Dunn said.
Luckily, Dunn's doctor said there was nothing abnormal or serious about her lump.
"It sort of made me feel like I had overreacted but then I realized it was better for me to be safe than sorry," Dunn said.
The How To Help page of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Web site states that the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society invests $61 million annually to research, patients and awareness of the diseases. Help make a difference today.
Lindsay Banecker is a fourth-year student majoring in English with a minor in journalism. She can be reached at LB596846@wcupa.edu.
About 71,380 people living in the United States will be diagnosed with lymphoma in 2007. This figure includes approximately 8,190 new cases of Hodgkin lymphoma.
The annual incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma has almost doubled over the last 55 years. The reasons for this increase are not certain.
As Hodgkin lymphoma progresses, it compromises a person's ability to fight infection. Signs and symptoms of lymphoma include painless swelling of lymph nodes in the neck, armpit or groin, persistent fatigue, recurrent high fever, sweating at night, troublesome itching and weight loss.
Stephanie Dunn, a third-year communications major, had a scare last year when she felt a small lump underneath of her jaw.
"I didn't think it was too serious but I called my mom to ask her what she thought it could be," Dunn said.
Her mother reminded Dunn that her uncle has passed away from Hodgkin's Disease.
"That's when I got nervous," Dunn said.
Luckily, Dunn's doctor said there was nothing abnormal or serious about her lump.
"It sort of made me feel like I had overreacted but then I realized it was better for me to be safe than sorry," Dunn said.
The How To Help page of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Web site states that the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society invests $61 million annually to research, patients and awareness of the diseases. Help make a difference today.
Lindsay Banecker is a fourth-year student majoring in English with a minor in journalism. She can be reached at LB596846@wcupa.edu.
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