Blood Cancer in India: Every 5 Minutes a Life Changes - Awareness Can Save It

Imagine this: every 5 minutes in India, someone is told they have blood cancer. By the end of today, nearly 330 families will receive this life-changing news.

Scary? Yes. Preventable? Early awareness and timely action can save lives.

Dr. AMVR Narendra, Sr. Consultant & Head - Clinical Haematology & BMT Specialist at STAR Hospitals, explains why raising awareness about these cancers is crucial to saving lives and offering hope to patients and families.

What Exactly Is Blood Cancer?

Think of your blood as the highway of life. It carries oxygen, nutrients, and soldiers (immune cells) that keep you alive and healthy. When blood cancer strikes, that highway gets blocked or flooded with “bad” cells that grow uncontrollably.

The main types are:

• Leukaemia – cancer of the blood and bone marrow
• Lymphoma – cancer of the lymphatic system (the body’s immune network)
• Myeloma – cancer of plasma cells, which fight infections

The Numbers That Speak Louder Than Words

India faces a heavy burden of blood cancers. Every year, more than 1,20,000 people are newly diagnosed, and tragically, over 70,000 lives are lost.

Among the different types, leukaemia contributes the highest share, with nearly 50,000 new cases annually, followed by non-Hodgkin lymphoma with around 40,000 cases, and Hodgkin lymphoma with close to 10,000 cases.

Blood cancer is not limited to adults — it affects children too. Each year, about 20,000 children (ages 0–19) are diagnosed, of which nearly 15,000 are leukaemia cases.

Survival continues to be a challenge in India. The five-year survival rate is only about 30%, much lower than global averages. However, treatments like stem cell or bone marrow transplantation offer hope — when a good donor match is found, success rates can range between 60–80%.

Unfortunately, India faces a critical shortage of registered donors. Less than 0.1% of the population is on donor registries, and nearly 70% of patients cannot find a match within their families. This makes public awareness and participation in donor programs even more urgent.

Common Symptoms to Watch For

Blood cancer doesn’t always make a loud entrance — it often creeps in with everyday symptoms we might dismiss. Ask yourself:

• Do you feel tired all the time no matter how much you rest?
• Have you had fever, night sweats, or chills that just won’t go away?
• Are you catching infections too often?
• Have you noticed unexplained weight loss?
• Do you feel swelling in your neck, armpits, or groin?
• Do you bruise or bleed easily?
• Do you sometimes feel short of breath or a heaviness in your chest?

Possible Causes & Risk Factors

There isn’t one single cause of blood cancer, but certain factors can raise your risk:

• Age: Children and older adults are more vulnerable to certain types.
• Family history: If blood cancers run in the family, the risk is higher.
• Exposure: Harmful radiation or toxic chemicals can play a role.
• Lifestyle: Smoking and heavy alcohol use are strong risk factors.
• Weakened immunity: A fragile immune system leaves you more exposed.

How is Blood Cancer Diagnosed?

Doctors don’t rely on symptoms alone; they use precise tests to uncover what’s happening inside the body:

• Blood Tests – reveal unusual counts of red cells, white cells, or platelets.
• Bone Marrow Biopsy – shows if abnormal cells are growing in the marrow.
• Imaging Scans (CT, MRI, PET) – detect cancer spread to lymph nodes or organs.
• Genetic & Molecular Testing – checks for specific mutations to guide treatment.

Treatment: Tailored for Every Patient

No two patients are alike, and neither is their treatment. Once diagnosed, doctors create a personalised plan depending on the type of blood cancer, age, and overall health.

Treatment options include:

• Observation & Monitoring – for slow-growing or early-stage cases, treatment may not be required immediately. Doctors monitor health with regular check-ups and tests, starting treatment only when necessary.
• Chemotherapy – powerful medicines that destroy abnormal cells.
• Radiation Therapy – targeted energy beams to kill or shrink cancer cells.
• Targeted Therapy – modern drugs that attack cancer cells while sparing healthy ones.
• Immunotherapy – boosts the body’s own immune system to fight cancer.
• Bone Marrow / Stem Cell Transplant – replaces diseased bone marrow with healthy cells, often giving patients a second chance at life.

STAR Hospitals: At the Forefront of Blood Cancer Care

STAR Hospitals is at the forefront of blood cancer care, offering advanced diagnostic capabilities that ensure accuracy and early detection. With tools such as high-precision blood tests, bone marrow biopsies, imaging technologies, and next-generation genetic profiling, the hospital identifies each patient’s condition with clarity.

Based on these findings, the expert team designs personalised treatment plans that may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or bone marrow transplants. A dedicated multidisciplinary team works together to deliver comprehensive care, ensuring patients receive not only cutting-edge treatment but also the support needed to regain strength, hope, and quality of life.