Treatment of Leukemia

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More tips from the Harvard Health Publications:

The treatment of leukemia is among the most intensive of all cancer therapies.

Treatment may severely compromise immune function and the body's infection

fighting ability. This is why a substantial amount of supportive care is

necessary to help people recover fully. People with leukemia should be treated

in medical centers that specialize in the advanced treatments and also offer

support to the person during their most vulnerable periods of immune

suppression.

There is no way to prevent most forms of leukemia. In the future, genetic

testing may play a larger role in identifying people who are more likely to

develop the illness. Until then, close relatives of people with leukemia should

undergo routine physical exams, unless suspicious symptoms develop.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society 1311 Mamaroneck Ave. White Plains, NY 10605

Toll-Free: 1-800-955-4572 http://www.leukemia.orgNational Cancer Institute

(NCI) U.S. National Institutes of Health Public Inquiries Office Building 31,

Room 10A03 31 Center Drive, MSC 8322 Bethesda, MD 20892-2580 Phone:

301-435-3848 Toll-Free: 1-800-4... TTY: 1-80... http://www.nci.nih.gov/

American Cancer Society (ACS) Toll-Free: 1-800-227-2345 TTY: 1-866-228-4327

http://www.cancer.org/

Your doctor may treat anemia with medications or a blood transfusion. Exercise

may be good for improving fatigue, if your doctor thinks it's OK. Even 15

minutes a day may help. If you must take naps during the day, keep them short.

Pace yourself and try not to take on too many responsibilities. Reserve your

energy for the most important needs, and be sure to ask others for help.

Your chemotherapy may cause you to produce fewer white blood cells, which leaves

you at higher risk of infections. An important way to help prevent infections is

to practice good hygiene, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). To

avoid germs, both the NCI and the ACS recommend that you wash your hands often,

especially after restroom trips and before you eat, and try to stay away from

big crowds of people. You should also avoid biting or picking at your nails, and

treat your skin with lotion before it gets dry and cracked. Tell your doctor

promptly if you see signs of an infection.

Be sure to brush your teeth for 90 seconds twice a day with a soft toothbrush.

Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and spicy and acidic foods. Rinse four times daily with

a simple mouthwash containing a cup of water, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/8

teaspoon salt.

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From Health A-Z, Harvard Health Publications. Copyright 2008 by the President

and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Written permission is

required to reproduce, in any manner, in whole or in part, the material

contained herein. To make a reprint request, contact Harvard Health

Publications. Used with permission of StayWell.

Blessings,

Lottie