Chronic Myeloid Leukemia can affect anyone, but certain factors may increase your risk of developing the disease. These include age, gender, exposure to high levels of radiation, and exposure to high levels of certain chemicals. Most cases are diagnosed in people over the age of 60 and men are also more likely to develop CL than women. However, the disease can develop in people without any known risk factors. Which makes it crucial for us to know how you can recognize this type of blood cancer.
How Can I Recognize Chronic Myeloid Leukemia?
This type of leukemia may not cause any symptoms in its early stages, which makes it crucial for people over 60 to have their blood checked regularly. This is the only way to detect CML in its early stages. However, as cancer progresses to more severe stages common symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Unintended weight loss
- Abdominal pain & swelling
- Feeling full after eating a little bit of food
- Bone pain
- Easy bleeding
- Loss of appetite
Additionally, some people with CML may have a higher risk of infections and may experience frequent infections or difficulty fighting off infections.
Diagnosis of CML
If you recognize these symptoms by yourself or in a loved one, make sure to contact your professional healthcare provider and tell him or her about it. Your healthcare provider will listen to your concerns and examines you if necessary. At first, they’ll do a blood test. If the results are inconclusive or unusual, they’ll examine further. The only way to diagnose CML is by doing chromosome or genetic testing. Tests a healthcare provider will do are: a complete blood count, a bone marrow biopsy or aspiration, CT scan or ultrasound. After several tests and extensive research, a diagnosis will then be made. Continue reading on the next page and find out what the stages of chronic myeloid leukemia are and how this leukemia is treated
