According to the Lymphoma Research Foundation, one in four cancer diagnoses among adolescents and young adults (AYA) is lymphoma. This information is important because lymphoma is the most common type of blood cancer for adolescents and young adults.
Being in this category is a unique experience because of the young age and changes that occur to the body during development. AYAs are still experiencing physical and emotional development and growth. This causes all types of changes to the body and mind as the person matures. A lymphoma diagnosis can therefore be difficult to trace due to changes already happening in the body. Dismissing early signs of lymphoma is also common due to lack of knowledge or confusion due to changes that the body goes through. The unique age range of AYA (15-39) can also be accompanied with stress that daily life requires and needs attention to. It can be very difficult to focus on health during these years due to misrepresentation of taking care of your body while you’re still young. Being young can cloud the judgment process to pick up that a serious disease is taking place.
Many AYAs may simply be in denial that lymphoma cancer cannot happen to them until a later stage in life. This leads to delayed diagnosis that goes unaware for many years. Having awareness around lymphoma, especially within adolescents and young adults, would not only help with early diagnosis but aid for better treatment for the specific age group. Going through lymphoma is very different for AYAs than it is for older adults who have matured in life. Having a specific focus on the AYA audience addresses all these unique barriers.
Improvement of cancer and lymphoma care begins with awareness and education. The leading Lymphoma Research Foundation aids in awareness and educating its audience on lymphoma and its impact not only on the patient, but the people and community around them. The Lymphoma Research Foundation also has a concentration on adolescents and young adults ages 15-39 going through lymphoma and how to combat misdiagnosis while understanding the unique needs of AYAs. Awareness is powerful for AYAs as their needs are the main point. Being aware of lymphoma puts you in a better position to get the proper treatment and be able to manage a diagnosis better.
Long term care and lymphoma awareness is important for AYAs, their families, and the community. Educating and informing one another is beneficial for not only the patients, but the people and environment around them. Communities, adolescents, and young adults are the future and being aware about lymphoma increases the likelihood for better research and management for generations to come.
Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
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By Mandipa Masike
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