Why is blood important? What does it do? How might cancer affect it?
The human body relies on blood to perform many functions for it to operate as it should do. But cancer and its treatments can affect the blood in many ways, especially when it involves blood cancers like leukaemia and lymphoma. These cancer types disrupt the normal production and function of blood cells, which are vital for immunity, oxygen transport and clotting.
Some treatments for cancer can also increase the risk of infection and blood clots and interfere with the body’s ability to control bleeding. In this edition of Contact, we find out how doctors tackle this for children and young people affected in this way, and speak to healthcare professionals to offer insight into various procedures and therapies, both established and emerging, that are offering hope for children and young people with cancer.
Despite treatment and care continuing to improve, children and young people with cancer and their families still face a huge number of challenges and complications. That’s why hearing the experiences of those who have walked this path before, and what helped them, is so important. We're grateful to all those who have shared their advice within these pages.
