Know your nodes WLAD 2009
Know lymphoma ...
Do you know your nodes? Many of us have heard of lymph nodes and know they are somewhere in the body, but beyond that, we New Zealanders just don’t “Know our Nodes.”
Take our fun quiz and find out how much you know about your nodes. Learn a little more about the lymphatic system, one we can’t live without. Click here.
With the number of lymphoma diagnoses on the rise each year, we all need to be more aware of the signs and symptoms of this blood cancer, and the website's quirky quiz aims to demystify the part of the body where it strikes - the lymphatic system and the lymph nodes.
Simply visit www.knowyournodes.org.nz to take part and find out what you know - or more importantly don’t know - about one of the body’s most vital systems. When a question is answered wrongly, participants are encouraged to try again, as the aim is to help you learn as much as possible about one of the least understood cancers.
There are only 15 questions, so please take the time to visit the site and test your knowledge. When you've completed the quiz, we'd love you to email the link to your family and friends and help us raise the profile of the 'cancer that no-one knows'.
Below we've included a few handy tips about the lymphatic system to help you boost your score!
Defence forces – The lymphatic system is part of the immune system, playing a major role in the body’s defence against infection and cancer.
Up sizing – Lymph nodes look like jelly beans and are less than 1 cm long. When fighting infection, they become enlarged.
Hide and seek – Nodes are located throughout the body. Nodes can usually be felt in the armpits, the groin and the neck. There are others can’t be felt, such as in the abdomen, pelvis and chest.
Three’s company – During a regular physical examination, a physician will often feel and compare three major groups of lymph nodes (neck, armpit and groin) to make sure they are healthy.
Open wide – Tonsils, which are a better-known part, are lymphatic organs and work with the immune system to help prevent infections.
What is lymphoma? – Lymphoma is a blood cancer. It affects the white blood cells that can be found in lymph nodes. Lymphomas are classified as either Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Know the signs – The signs and symptoms of lymphoma can often be mistaken for other less serious illnesses. Fatigue, fever, swollen lymph nodes, a persistent cough and unexplained weight loss can all be symptoms. If any of these symptoms persist or if you are concerned mention them to your doctor.
More common than you think – Lymphoma is the sixth most common cancer in New Zealand. Each year more than 750 new cases of lymphoma are diagnosed. The cause is unknown.
