By News18,Swati Chaturvedi

Copyright news18

September marks Blood Cancer Awareness Month, a global reminder of the urgent need for vigilance, early detection, and timely treatment. In India, blood cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma continue to affect thousands of families every year. Yet, the majority of cases are diagnosed only in advanced stages, when treatment is more challenging and outcomes less certain.
The biggest hurdle lies in recognizing the early warning signs, persistent fatigue, unexplained fevers, night sweats, recurrent infections, swollen lymph nodes, or sudden weight loss. Because these symptoms often resemble common, minor ailments, they are easy to dismiss, costing patients valuable time.
Dr P. Amarnath, Consultant Haematologist, HCG Cancer Center, Vijayawada, emphasizes the danger of ignoring these signals. “Blood cancer doesn’t wait, and neither should we. The first signs, fatigue, frequent infections, unexplained fevers, or sudden weight loss—are often brushed aside as minor issues. But ignoring them can cost precious time, allowing the disease to progress silently,” he warns.
Fortunately, India today has access to world-class treatments ranging from chemotherapy and stem cell transplants to advanced targeted immunotherapies and even CAR-T cell therapy developed within the country. Dr Amarnath highlights that these breakthroughs are giving patients new hope: “These medical advances are most effective when the disease is identified in its earlier stages, before complications set in. A simple blood test or timely consultation can change the course of someone’s life.”
But blood cancer isn’t just a medical battle, it’s a social one too. Families face tremendous disruption when a loved one is diagnosed, often dealing with lost income, missed school for children, and immense psychological strain. Dr. M. A. Suboor Shaherose, Consultant, Haematology and Medical Oncology, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, sheds light on this side of the struggle: “Every diagnosis of blood cancer carries with it the weight of a family’s struggle, children forced to miss school, parents unable to keep working, and loved ones coping with sudden disruption. Unlike many solid tumours that can be detected through routine screening, blood cancers often move quietly, leaving families with little warning or time to respond.”
Over the past decade, haematology has witnessed remarkable progress. What were once experimental therapies such as sophisticated bone marrow transplants and targeted immunotherapies are now part of everyday practice, saving countless lives across India. Yet, as Dr. Shaherose stresses, “These advances can only achieve their best results when patients come to us early enough to take advantage of them. If symptoms linger—like night sweats, swollen lymph nodes, or unusual bleeding, it is better to investigate than to wait.”
He further notes that awareness campaigns play a critical role in breaking silence: “Awareness campaigns are powerful because they normalize conversations around these red flags. Knowledge and timely response are as critical as the treatments we provide in hospitals.”
As Blood Cancer Awareness Month reminds us, the most effective weapon against these diseases is not just cutting-edge therapy but timely action and community vigilance. Whether through routine blood tests, workplace initiatives, or school-level education, the call is clear: act early, spread awareness, and never ignore persistent symptoms.
Because when it comes to blood cancer, every moment truly matters.