In 2010, Congress designated September as Blood Cancer Awareness Month to encourage greater understanding about the importance of the diagnosis, treatment, and research of the multiple types of blood cancer. Although there are many different types of hematological malignancies, most fall within three main groups: lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma. Each type of blood cancer presents differently, requires unique treatments, and has different prognoses.
Although survival rates for people with blood cancers have improved dramatically, it remains a deadly disease. Blood cancers are the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Approximately every three minutes, someone in the U.S. is diagnosed with a blood cancer. These types of cancers are the most common ones in children, adolescents, and young adults, accounting for 30 percent of all childhood cancers.
The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) has newly created resources for cancer programs and practices that focus on multidisciplinary approaches to care for adults with acute lymphocyctic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and multiple myeloma (MM).
ACCC resources in acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) careinclude:
ACCC resources in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) care include:
ACCC resources in multiple myelomacareinclude:
Upcoming Opportunities
To continue to improve care for patients with CLL, three ACCC member cancer programs or practices have an opportunity to host a live, half-day, quality improvement workshop at their institution, including one-, three-, and six-month follow-ups. Selected programs will create and pilot quality improvement plans that address specific barriers and/or gaps in care for CLL. To learn more or to apply, contact Monique Dawkins.
ACCC is also offering to its member cancer programs and practices a one-day, customized workshop with experts in multidisciplinary approaches to multiple myeloma care. To learn more or to apply, contact Hira Chowdhary.
Stay tuned for more from ACCC.
