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04/18: Little known about 5th most common cancer - Lymphoma Forum to bring experts together
April is Cancer Awareness Month
Lymphoma is a conundrum for cancer experts. It doesn’t discriminate like some other cancers – it affects young and old, men and women alike. Some types are highly curable (90 percent or better), and other types are difficult to treat. It’s difficult to diagnose because symptoms, such as low energy, fever, and swollen glands can easily be mistaken for common complaints such as flu or fatigue.
The exact cause of lymphoma is still unknown, but experts are concerned the incidence is on the rise. It is believed a combination of genetics and the environment may play a role.
This year, more than 7,000 Canadians will be diagnosed with lymphoma, making it the fifth most common cancer in the country (an estimated 1,000 individuals in B.C.). Yet, most people know very little about the disease. The diagnosis leaves many patients, like 33-year old cancer researcher, Dr. Paul McDonald, who discovered he had non-Hodgkins, follicular B-Cell lymphoma in 2002, baffled, and seeking answers.
“I was 29, healthy, busy establishing my career, and awaiting fatherhood,” says McDonald, whose wife was eight months pregnant at the time of his diagnosis. “I had led a pretty clean life – I didn’t smoke, abuse my body with drugs or alcohol. I ate right, and exercised. There was absolutely nothing in my background that would indicate I would be diagnosed with this disease.”
It was a hard blow for a super-achiever who was working on a PhD in vascular biology, which would eventually lead him to cancer research.
On Friday, April 21, McDonald will speak at a lymphoma forum sponsored by the BC Cancer Agency (an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority), BC Cancer Foundation and Lymphoma Foundation Canada. McDonald will talk about his diagnosis, treatment and how he’s living with the disease.
“People think that because I’m a cancer researcher, I know everything there is to know about lymphoma, but that’s not true,” says McDonald. “I’ll be there as much to learn from the experts and to learn from others with the disease, as I am to share my story.”
BC Cancer Agency speakers will discuss possible causes, new treatments that are showing promise, and the future of lymphoma research.
Lymphoma Forum
Speakers include lymphoma experts Drs. Joseph Connors, Richard Klasa and Laurie Sehn; epidemiologist Dr. John Spinelli; counsellor Dr. Joanne Stephen; family physician Dr. Elizabeth Bastian, and BC Cancer Agency President Dr. Simon Sutcliffe.
“While lymphoma is on the rise, the positive thing is that huge progress is being made in understanding the biology of lymphoma which has resulted in many new treatment options. Many of the newer drugs are more selective at targeting tumour cells, and are proving to be very effective” says Dr. Sehn, a Harvard-educated physician, with the BC Cancer Agency. “B.C. has been at the forefront of quickly adopting new treatments, so our patients can benefit from these advances immediately.”
“The BC Cancer Agency has the largest lymphoma research program in Canada and is a leader in the field internationally,” adds Sehn, who was the primary investigator on a 2005 landmark paper which demonstrated that adding the drug rituximab to standard chemotherapy for all patients with large B-cell lymphoma improved survival rates by 50 percent in British Columbia. “We were able to do that research because of our unique population-based approach to cancer care which allows us to track patient outcomes across the whole province.”
McDonald has received a number of treatments for lymphoma, including rituximab which was approved for use in Canada in 2000.
While his cancer has been in remission for almost two years, Paul’s “indolent” lymphoma could return. “It could come back two months from now or 10 years from now,” says McDonald. “While I remain deeply interested in cancer research and dedicated to my career, it’s no longer about working 14 hour days, seven days a week. Spending time with my wife and children is equally as important.”
Pre-registration is required for the April 21 forum as lunch will be provided. Please call the BC Cancer Agency’s Vancouver Centre’s Patient and Family Counselling Services at 604.877.6000, extension 2194. The forum starts at 9 a.m. and goes to 3 p.m. at the Sheraton Plaza 500, Cambie and 12th Ave, Vancouver.
Lymphoma refers to a variety of cancers (two major groups are Hodgkins and non-Hodgkins disease) of the lymphatic system, a network of glands and vessels which make up the body’s immune system.
The BC Cancer Agency, a part of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Foundation supports research and care enhancements at the BC Cancer Agency.
For more information, please contact:
Papinder Rehncy, Public Relations, 604.877.6261
e-mail: prehncy@bccancer.bc.ca
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