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Effects of Leukemia and Benefits of Therapy

Effects of Leukemia and Benefits of Therapy

INTRODUCTION

“Approximately every 9 minutes, someone in the US dies from a blood cancer. This statistic represents approximately 160 people each day or more than 6 people every hour” (Facts and Statistics). “Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma are expected to cause the deaths of an estimated 58,100 people in the US in 2018” (Facts and Statistics). Leukemia is no joke, the casualties are high and they should be publicized more. Patients not only have to deal with the daunting challenge of overcoming such a disease, but also overcome the psychological and physical effects afterwords. Patients should be given the option, right out of treatment, to undergo a session of therapy. The psychological effects, if left untreated, could linger the rest of their life. Some of these effects include grief, depression, body image, spirituality, survivor guilt (MD Anderson Cancer Center). Hospitals should be required to provide Leukemia patients with a therapist to treat social and emotional issues that are prevalent during treatment of the disease.

BACKGROUND

Leukemia is a type of cancer that is progressive where bone marrow production is increased, causing the numbers of immature or abnormal leukocytes to increase (NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms). Leukemia not only affects your physical stature and health, it affects your mental health. The trauma of going through leukemia treatments and the disease itself takes a big toll on your mental health. Fear of relapse is common in leukemia survivors and their families. Almost all cancer survivors face psychological and emotional issues that can show up many years after treatment. Some of the psychological issues include fear of recurrence, grief, depression, body image, spirituality, survivor guilt, and trouble with relationships (Social & Emotional Impacts of Cancer). It is imperative that leukemia survivors should have the right to, provided by the government, a therapist even if they think it is not necessary. Psychological issues need to be addressed during and after treatment. These can often be overcome with support and encouragement (The American Cancer Society Medical and Editorial Content Team). A therapist should not be something to be ashamed of, they should be viewed a tool to help fighters cope with the physical and emotional stress during their treatment.

Side Effects of Leukemia

Leukemia has a wide variety of side effects, including psychological effects and physical effects. Many times, the psychological effects are over looked or ignored, while the physical effects are focused on the most. One big reason as to why the psychological effects are ignored; is survivors may be ashamed or embarrassed. Psychological issues should not be ignored, they are serious and plentiful. According to MD Anderson Cancer Center, almost all cancer survivors will face psychological and emotional issues that can show up many years after treatment. Some examples of social and emotional issues include grief, depression, body image issues, trouble with spirituality, survivor guilt, problems with relationships, and problems in the workplace (Social & Emotional Impacts of Cancer). All the issues listed are serious by themselves, but together they become an overwhelming obstacle. If left untreated, these issues will seemingly become impossible to overcome and they will make your life much harder. The Cancer Institute NSW writes, people with cancer can experience a range of feelings including anger, sadness, fear, and feeling out of control (The Effects of Cancer on Social and Emotional Wellbeing). This is important because it shows that many survivors have the same feelings and psychological effects. Since most survivors share similar feelings and social and emotional issues, therapists should automatically be provided to the survivors to get a head start on overcoming the difficulties that lie ahead.

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