Industrial disease - Leukaemia
Leukaemia or leukaemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow and is characterized by an abnormal proliferation of blood cells, usually white blood cells. It is part of the broad group of diseases called hematological neoplasms. There are mainly two types of leukaemia 1. Acute leukaemia 2. Chronic lymphatic leukaemia. Any form of leukaemia except chronic lymphatic leukaemia is covered by Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit is a prescribed disease.
Cause
Exposure to electromagnetic radiations or to ionising particles where the dose is sufficient to double the risk of the occurrence of the condition. For example, people working in the nuclear industry and hospital X-ray departments.
Some other major causes are
- Exposure to Atomic Bomb Radiation
- Previous Chemotherapy or Radiation Therapy
- Human T-Cell Leukaemia Virus
- Myelodysplasctic Syndrome
- Downs Syndrome
Symptom
The symptoms of leukaemia are broad, but there are specific symptoms of leukaemia to keep an eye out for:
- fever
- infection
- excessive bruising
- fatigue
- physical exercise intolerance
- abdominal pain, or generally feeling fullness
- weight loss
- abnormal bleeding
- enlargement of the lymph nodes, spleen, and/or liver
- weakness
Around 60% - 70% cases of leukaemia is founded in people age 50 and over. Factors outside of industrial hazard such as smoking is a big factor in what causes leukaemia.
Prevention
Unfortunately there isn't a medically proven prevention method for leukaemia. However controlling certain factors that are related to leukaemia could well help.
- Stop smoking
- Minimise exposure to benzene
- Keep a good lookout of your health if you have previously received chemotherapy or radiation treatment
Diagnosis
After the initial check up if physician decides that the blood of a patient is abnormal and a possible case of leukaemia is suspected; a treatment plan will be devised. Leukaemia is not a single disease, rather a formation of various different type of cancer formed in blood cells and bone marrow.
Generally there are five different types of treatment:
- Chemotherapy
- Interferon therapy which slows down the reproduction of leukaemia cells.
- Radiation therapy
- Stem cell transplantation (SCT)
- Surgery to remove an enlarged spleen
Injury Illness and Compensation Law
More information on regulations and legislations governing work related disease could be found on this page.
Credit to Lisa fayed