Jurni Young
What Is It?
Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a type of cancer that starts in the blood cells of the bone marrow (the soft inner part of certain bones, where new blood cells are made) but most often it quickly moves into the blood. It can sometimes spread to other parts of the body including lymph nodes, liver, spleen and central nervous system (brain and spinal cords). Most often, AML develops from cells that would turn into white blood cells (other than lymphocytes) but sometimes AML develops in other types of blood-forming cells.
How Is It Caused/Development?
Acute Myeloid Leukemia is caused by damage to the DNA (genetic material) in the bone marrow. This type of damage is called an acquired mutation.
When the cells in the bone marrow are damaged, blood cells do not develop as they should. They may become abnormal, cancerous cells which are also known as blasts or myeloblasts because they look similar to healthy immune blast cells.
As they grow and divide, the cancerous myeloblasts fill up the bone marrow preventing healthy cells from being made. The cells can build up in the bloodstream and this reduces the number of healthy blood cells. This can lead to infections, anaemia and easy bleeding. In some cases, abnormal cells can spread outside the blood to other parts of the body.
You can help support Acute Myeloid Leukemia in many ways. One way could be to donate or go to an event held by an organisation that is giving/funding to Leukemia.
For example, you could donate, join a fundraising event, start your own fundraising event, share your own experience to help others, join a membership or donate your blood or bone marrow.
All of these ways are just the beginning of endless ways you can support patients with any blood cancers.
The Leukemia Foundation
Although it is called The Leukemia Foundation, they work to improve the lives of anyone impacted by any kind of blood cancer. The Foundation offers health services powered by a team of trained healthcare professionals who provide emotional and practical support. They fund leading-edge research, translating to life-saving new treatments and rapid access to clinical trials.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is the largest nonprofit dedicated to creating a world without blood cancers. Since 1949, they have invested more than $1.7 billion in groundbreaking research.
Leukemia Research Foundation
The Leukemia Research Foundation's mission is to cure leukemia by funding innovative research, and to support patients and families.
Childhood Leukemia Foundation
Childhood Leukemia foundation was founded in 1992 to educate and empower children 21 years or younger diagnosed with all forms of cancer. Childhood Leukemia Foundation's programs increase self esteem, and give children the opportunity to have experiences and be better able to cope with cancer.
International Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Foundation
International Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Foundation is a charitable foundation established in 2009 by a group of hematologists with a strng interest in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia globally. The aims of the foundation are to foster and coodinate global clincal and research collaborations and to improve clinical practice and disease monitoring in CML.
Each Year in Australia over 900 people are diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Overall AML is a rare disease, accounting for 0.8% of all cancers diagnosed at a rate of 3.7 per 100,000 of population. The average span after being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia is around 5 years.