Need for WLAD

New data shows lymphoma is still on the rise 

Globally, lymphoma is a disease that continues to grow. And the number of people diagnosed with lymphoma each year in New Zealand has more than doubled in the last decade….a trend which is forecast to continue over the coming years(1). 

The 2005(2) cancer registrations statistics, which have just been released, show that 777 people were diagnosed with lymphoma that year. In 2000 that figure was 600 - that's a rise of 30%.

With lymphoma more prevalent in people 50 years and over, that increase can partly be blamed on an ageing population, but it does not fully account for the rise.

And the growing figures are extremely worrying given New Zealanders' apparent lack of awareness about the disease.

Even though it is the sixth most common cancer in New Zealand, and has a considerably higher incidence than cervical cancer (3), 91% of New Zealanders do not mention lymphoma when asked to name all the cancers they can think of (4).

Certain types of lymphoma can be fatal in as little as six months.

Aims

1. To support the Lymphoma Coalition's goal of raising worldwide awareness of lymphoma.

2. Encourage people to recognise symptoms of lymphoma and seek medical help early.

3. Raise awareness of the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation as a leading resource of information and services exclusively for patients and their family members affected by lymphoma, leukaemia and myeloma and related blood disorders.

The need for awareness

The symptoms of lymphoma are often mistaken for less serious illnesses such as flu, fatigue or glandular fever. But it is essential the disease is recognised early because, if treated appropriately, some types of lymphoma can be cured.

Initial diagnosis of lymphoma can be difficult - the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation can help patients and their family members affected by lymphoma receive the information and support they need.

Background research

Telephone interviews conducted amongst a representative sample of New Zealanders across 15 different regions, ensured a spread of urban, provincial and rural respondents. In total, 502 interviews were conducted in August 2005.

Based on this survey, 99% of New Zealanders would mistake lymphoma symptoms, such as tiredness, fever, night sweats and swollen glands, for common complaints such as flu, glandular fever, meningitis or fatigue.

WLAD events - 2007

Auckland

On Saturday 8 September, 2007, at the The Alexandra Park Function Centre in Greenlane, Auckland, more than 60 patients and their families gathered to hear a series of informative and motivational speakers. They included Phil Kerslake, who has waged six battles against lymphoma and has gone on to become a life coach, TV personality, speaker and author - his book Life, Happiness... & Cancer: Survive with Action and Attitude! was a best seller. Phil spoke on how to build and coach your healing team. Also presenting was Immunologist Roger Booth on making sense of yourself through mind-body relationships. The final speaker was David Simpson, a Consultant Haematologist at North Shore Hospital, who explained how lymph nodes work and what goes wrong to give you lymphoma. 

Wellington

On Saturday 15 September, 2007, at the Wellington Cancer Society Rooms in Newtown, Phil Kerslake focused on sharing the helpful tactics and advice contained in his book Life, Happiness... & Cancer: Survive with Action and Attitude!. He was joined by Dr Alwyn D'Souza, a haematologist at Capital and Coast Health.

The LBF also presented to a range of medical staff and kept them on their toes with tests on how well they 'knew their nodes'!

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(1) Ministry of Health 2002, Cancer in New Zealand. Trends and Predictions: A Summary
(2) New Zealand Health Information Service (NZHIS) Cancer Registrations Statistics (2005 figures are provisional only)
(3) NZHIS (2004) Cancer Registrations and Deaths, 2000
(4) Research Solutions (August 2005), Lymphoma awareness research, telephone interviews with 500 New Zealanders