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Dubai, United Arab Emirates, September 21, 2014: On occasion of World CML Awareness Day, doctors advise extra caution to not mistake the cancer's flu like symptoms with other illnesses.
- Around the world, 3 people are diagnosed with and 2 people die from a blood cancer every 2 minutes. Currently there are 914,420 patients worldwide.1
- Unlike acute blood cancer which proves increasingly fatal, CML progresses like a chronic disease and can be controlled with treatment
- Novartis Oncology is launching “What is my PCR?” awareness today, aimed at assisting the medical community in managing leukemia cell levels in patients.
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia or CML is a rare form of blood and bone marrow cancer which increases body's production of white blood cells. Unlike acute leukemia, CML progresses like a chronic disease often taking years to show visible symptoms.
CML is commonly detected in older adults in the age group of 50 and above and more prevalent in males than females. The common symptoms may include easy bleeding, tiredness, fever, loss of appetite and weight, pain below the ribs on the left side, pale skin and night sweats. As the symptoms are very common with other diseases and they do not always reveal itself during the early phase, it is often seen that patients live with the disease for months or years without realizing it.
On occasion of World CML Awareness Day, Novartis Oncology along with local experts from UAE have urged accurate identification of the symptoms in the early stages to help patients identify thedisease and prevent progression.“What is my PCR?”awarenessis aimed at increasing awareness within the medical community to monitor leukemia cell count in their patients. The PCR levels would also assist the doctors in indicating the therapy effectiveness.
PCR test is most accurate in detection of Ph+ CML in the blood or bone marrow and requires only a blood draw. The fewer the leukemia cells a patient has, the deeper the level of response to treatment. Hence the test is used to monitor the achievement of treatment milestones over time. The test can be undertaken at leading hospitals across UAE.
Dr. Ahmad Alrustamani, Consultant Hematologists and Head of Hematology Service at DHA when consulted noted that“CML is a life-long chronic disease; where the number of new cases in UAE grows annually with increasing awareness and follow up techniques- thus highlighting their importance. It would be thrilling if one day I can see my patients disease free and independent of any treatment.” –.
Dr. Jürgen Sasse, Head of Molecular Diagnostics at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi reaffirmed that 'According to international guidelines, the foundation for directing therapy decisions is the CML PCR monitoring test performed on a regular basis. It should be standardized to international norms, and should be sensitive enough to determine whether, and when a CML patient may discontinue medication.” .
Being a world-leader in treating the CML disease, Novartis Oncology is committed to fulfilling its commitment towards meeting unmet medical needs and fighting disease challenges by continuing to investin innovative programs.
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