If you have cancer, or if someone in your family has cancer, you may have experienced a constant feeling of extreme fatigue. You feel tired even after walking for a short while, and you feel like you can't do anything. One of the main reasons for this is a lack of blood in the body. In medicine, we call this anemia , or anemia. So today, let's talk about the connection between cancer and this lack of blood, as simple as talking to a friend.
Simply put, anemia is when you don't have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen around your body. Think of it this way: red blood cells are the delivery vehicles that carry the "medicine" called oxygen to the billions of cells throughout our bodies. So when these delivery vehicles are in short supply, the organs and cells in our bodies don't get the oxygen they need. That's when we start to feel tired and lethargic.
How does cancer cause anemia?
There are several reasons why someone with cancer may have low blood pressure. Sometimes the cancer itself causes low blood pressure, and other times it causes low blood pressure due to cancer treatments. Let's look at each of these one by one.
Cases of anemia due to the type of cancer
- Leukemia and Lymphoma: These types of cancer directly affect our bone marrow. The bone marrow is like the blood-making factory in our body. So when cancer affects this factory, the production of red blood cells is disrupted.
- Gastrointestinal cancer: In conditions such as stomach cancer or colon cancer, internal bleeding can occur. When this bleeding continues, the body loses red blood cells faster than it can make new ones.
- Kidney Cancer: Our kidneys produce a hormone that signals the bone marrow to make red blood cells. So if kidney cancer develops, this signal doesn't work properly. Then the bone marrow doesn't get the command to make blood.
- Metastasis: Some cancers, such as breast cancer or prostate cancer, can spread to other parts of the body. If these cancer cells travel to the bone marrow, they can interfere with the blood-forming process there as well.
How cancer treatment causes blood loss
- Chemotherapy and Radiation: Both of these treatments aim to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells. However, these treatments do not distinguish between cancer cells and the rapidly dividing healthy cells in our body. Red blood cells are also a type of cell that reproduces rapidly. So, during treatment, these healthy red blood cells can be destroyed along with the cancer cells.
- Loss of appetite: Cancer treatment can cause a loss of appetite and cravings. This can lead to a lack of nutrients, such as iron and vitamins, which can lead to anemia.
What are the symptoms of anemia?
Anemia often develops gradually, without warning. So you may not notice much difference at first. But as the condition worsens, these symptoms may appear.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Excessive fatigue | Feeling so exhausted that you can't do anything. |
| Heart palpitations | Increased heart rate. |
| Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath | Feeling short of breath and panting even when walking a short distance. |
| Dizziness | Dizziness or lightheadedness. |
| Chest pain | Chest pain. |
| Swelling of the limbs | Swelling of the hands and feet. |
| Pale appearance | Paleness of the skin, under the nails, inside the mouth, and gums. |
If you have any of these symptoms, it is very important to tell your doctor or the cancer nurse at the cancer clinic immediately.
Anemia can be dangerous, especially if you have other medical conditions, such as heart disease or lung disease. And if you have severe anemia, your doctors may have to delay your cancer treatment for a while or reduce the dose of your medication.
Your doctor will check if you have anemia with a simple blood test, called a Complete Blood Count (CBC) . He or she may also need to do other tests to determine the exact cause.
What are the treatments for anemia?
The good news is that there are treatments for anemia caused by cancer. Depending on your condition, your doctor will determine the most appropriate treatment.
- Blood Transfusion: Simply put, this is giving blood from outside. This is a good way to quickly increase the number of red blood cells in your body.
- ESA drugs: These are a type of drug called Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents . They stimulate the body to make more red blood cells. However, these drugs are only given to patients who are receiving certain types of chemotherapy.
- Iron Therapy: This treatment is given to people who have lost blood due to cancer of the digestive tract and have developed iron deficiency. It can be taken as pills or given intravenously (IV) through a tube.
- Dietary changes: Your doctor may advise you to add iron-rich foods to your diet.
| Some foods rich in iron | |
|---|---|
| Dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale | Low-fat red meat |
| Eggs | Legumes like lentils, chickpeas, and peas |
| Sweet potato | Dried fruits such as raisins, dried apricots |
- Other nutritional supplements: Depending on the cause of your anemia, your doctor may also prescribe folic acid or vitamin B12 tablets.
Take-Home Message
- Anemia is common due to cancer and its treatment. Don't worry about it.
- Be aware of symptoms like frequent fatigue, shortness of breath, and paleness. Don't ignore them.
- Tell your doctor without hesitation about any symptoms you are experiencing.
- This condition can be successfully treated with blood transfusions, medications, and a nutritious diet.
- Never take iron tablets or other vitamins at will. Always follow your doctor's instructions.
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