National survey highlights need for greater awareness on lymphoma

While general awareness of lymphoma remains high, a new survey released today by the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) reveals significant knowledge gaps among Americans about the disease, which is the most prevalent form of blood cancer in the United States. Survey results showed a high number of adults (86 percent) remain unaware that there are 67 different types of lymphoma - 61 types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and six types of Hodgkin lymphoma.  The national survey was commissioned by LRF to demonstrate the need for greater awareness and understanding of lymphomas during September, Lymphoma Awareness Month.

"Lymphoma is not one disease, but a diverse group of diseases," said Bruce Cheson, MD, FACP, Professor of Medicine, Head of Hematology, and Director of Hematology Research at the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center at Georgetown University Hospital. "Fortunately, over the past few decades significant progress has been made in understanding how to distinguish among the many types of lymphoma, not only by how they look under the microscope, but by how they behave clinically, how they respond to treatment, and how patients with them survive. This distinction is important for patients, family members, and the blood cancer community – because knowing your type of lymphoma will eventually lead to personalized treatment which will be more effective and less toxic than the treatments currently available for patients," he continued. Dr. Cheson also serves as Chair of the LRF Scientific Advisory Board.

Results of the survey also revealed:

• Of those who personally knew someone with lymphoma, only half (51 percent) were aware of the specific type their friend or family member had been diagnosed with.  
• Fewer than 20 percent of those surveyed had heard of B-cell or T-cell lymphoma.  Upon diagnosis, a patient's disease is first classified as Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin lymphoma and then further defined as B-cell or T-cell.  Although all 67 types of lymphomas are classified as B-cell or T-cell at diagnosis, less than 20 percent of those surveyed had heard of either of these.
• More than two-thirds (71 percent) of survey participants identified cancer stage to be more important than type of lymphoma.  However, for lymphomas, the specific type of disease (such as peripheral T-cell lymphoma) is equally as important as stage.  Understanding the specific type helps healthcare professionals and patients choose the best treatment option for the patient's individual disease.

"The results of this survey are insightful and highlight the opportunity to increase education around the 'family' of lymphomas," said Diane Blum, Chief Executive Officer of the Lymphoma Research Foundation.  "At LRF, we encourage patients and caregivers to learn as much as possible about their specific diagnosis so that they can play an active role in their treatment.  Knowing and understanding the specific type of lymphoma is crucial to receiving the right treatment."

Lymphoma is the most frequently diagnosed blood cancer in the United States and the seventh most common cancer overall.  Although non-Hodgkin lymphoma is more prevalent, fewer people surveyed had heard of non-Hodgkin lymphoma when compared to Hodgkin lymphoma (51 percent vs. 67 percent).  According to the National Cancer Institute, in 2010, an estimated 65,500 people are expected to be diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and 8,500 people are expected to be diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.