What are Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas (NHL)?
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas encompass a collection of varied lymphomas
that are cancers of the white blood cells. White blood cells are part
of the immune system. The main difference between NHL and other
cancers is that, as a cancer of the white blood cells, NHL is a cancer
of the body system that is ironically supposed to protect us
from illness.
Who gets Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas?
- White people are diagnosed 50
percent more often than Blacks, Asians, and Hispanics combined.
- People over the age of 65 are more prone to developing NHL.
- Childhood NHL is the third most common pediatric cancer.
- People who have suppressed immune systems (those living with
HIV/AIDS, recent solid organ transplant recipients) are more likely to
develop non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
SEBASTOPOL, CA --Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas (NHL)
have a large and growing patient group: the number of cases has
increased 73 percent in the last 25 years.
The sixth most common cause of cancer death, NHL is a confusing,
immune-system cancer that varies in where it appears in the body,
sometimes is prone to change, and has a large variety of
treatments. The annual rate of increase is comparable to melanoma and
prostate cancer. If these trends continue, NHL will soon rival
colon, lung, and breast cancers as a leading cause of illness and
death in the United States.
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas: Making Sense of Diagnosis,
Treatment & Options by Lorraine Johnston is a comprehensive
guide to help those living with NHL to participate in their own
healthcare. It describes in depth: current treatment options; clinical
trials and promising future treatments; how NHL is different from
other cancers; dealing with tests, symptoms, and treatment side
effects; how to manage stress; communicating with medical personnel;
handling insurance and finances, and getting support from family,
friends, and employers.
The long-term prognosis for some NHL patients has been grim, but
cancer clinical trials are on the fast track and research is
promising. In this ever-changing treatment environment, it's difficult
for patients, and even doctors, to keep up with research. This is the
only book for patients struggling with NHL who are hungry for
genuine, sound and understandable medical information.
About the Author
Lorraine Johnston, who has bachelor's degree in life
sciences, is a respected member of the online cancer community. The
wife of an eight-year lymphoma survivor and the daughter of a
twenty-year lymphoma survivor, she's worked extensively with lymphoma
survivor support groups. In the course of these efforts, she has been
interviewed by National Public Radio's Marketplace program regarding
the best ways to find reliable medical information using the
Internet.
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphomas: Making Sense of Diagnosis, Treatment
& Options
by Lorraine Johnston
$24.95, 584 pages, paperback
ISBN: 1-56592-444-4
PUBLICATION DATE: May 1999
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