National Aplastic Anemia and MDS Awareness Week

National Aplastic Anemia and MDS Awareness Week

National Aplastic Anemia and MDS Awareness Week takes place in March to raise awareness about the disease. The awareness ribbon associated with aplastic anemia is the red and white pinstripe ribbon pin. In addition, some use the green ribbon pin. National Aplastic Anemia and MDS Awareness Week occurs the first week in March. Internationally, Aplastic Anemia Awareness Day takes place on March 4. Wear a red and white pinstripes enamel awareness pin or fabric ribbon. Also, some people wear a green enamel awareness ribbon pin, fabric ribbon, or green silicone wristband bracelet.

What Is Aplastic Anemia? Learn More During National Aplastic Anemia and MDS Awareness Week

Aplastic anemia is a type of disease that affects the bone marrow. With aplastic anemia, the body stops creating the adequate amount of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets that the body needs to run its necessary process.

Additionally, aplastic anemia is a non-cancerous disease that occurs when the bone marrow stops making enough blood cells. The body makes three types of blood cells. These are red blood cells, which contain hemoglobin and deliver oxygen to all parts of the body; white blood cells, which help fight infection; platelets, which help blood clot when you bleed.

These blood cells are made in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft, sponge-like material found inside bones. The bone marrow contains immature cells called stem cells that produce blood cells. Stem cells grow into red cells, white cells, and platelets or they can make more stem cells. In patients who have aplastic anemia, however, there are not enough stem cells in the bone marrow to make enough blood cells.

Is Aplastic Anemia an Autoimmune Disorder?

Experts believe that aplastic anemia is an autoimmune disorder. This means that the patient’s immune system (which helps fight infection) reacts against the bone marrow and the bone marrow is not able to make blood cells. For example, stem cells are no longer being replaced and the left over stem cells are not working well. Therefore, the amount of red cells, white cells, and platelets begin to drop. If blood levels drop too low, a person can feel very tired (from low red cells). Others have bleeding or bruising (from low platelets), and have many or severe infections (from low white cells).

What Are the Key Statistics About Aplastic Anemia?

Aplastic anemia can occur in anyone of any age, race, or gender. There are between 600-900 new cases in the United States each year. Aplastic anemia is more common among children, teenagers and older adults. In addition, it is also more likely to occur in people of Asian heritage.

Who’s At Risk? Learn More During National Aplastic Anemia and MDS Awareness Week

In about 75% of all cases, the cause is unknown or idiopathic. Acquired aplastic anemia refer, therefore, to those cases where factors from the environment and physical conditions seem to be linked with the growth of the disease. For example, studies have shown that contact with certain toxins such as benzene and radiation, to viruses such as hepatitis, and to some medications can cause this disease. It is more common among women who are pregnant. It is not contagious. In rare cases, aplastic anemia can be hereditary. This occurs with diseases such as Fanconi’s anemia, Dyskeratosis Congenita and Shwachman-Diamond syndrome.

What are Signs and Symptoms of Aplastic Anemia?

The symptoms of aplastic anemia are:

Fatigue or lack of energy.

Shortness of breath when active.

Pale color of the skin and mucous membranes (this includes the lining of the inside of the nose and mouth).

Dizziness.

Decreased alertness.

Bleeding from the nose, mouth, or rectum.

Easy bruising.

Pinpoint red spots on the skin.

Frequent and severe infections.

Having one or more of these symptoms does not mean that you have aplastic anemia. They can occur with many other illnesses. It is very important, however, to talk to your healthcare team if you have any of these symptoms.

Can Aplastic Anemia Be Found Early?

There is no screening test for early detection of aplastic anemia. A simple blood test that measures the levels of blood cells can alert your doctor if there is a problem. If your doctor thinks that you may have aplastic anemia, you will need to see a hematologist. This is a doctor whose focus is treating problems of the blood and bone marrow.

Can Aplastic Anemia Be Prevented?

Avoiding prolonged contact with toxins such as benzene (found in industrial settings), radiation, and contact with viruses such as hepatitis may prevent aplastic anemia. However, most of the time, there is nothing that can prevent the disease.

Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) – Learn More During National Aplastic Anemia and MDS Awareness Week

Every year on October 25, the MDS Alliance and their member groups around the world, come together to raise awareness of Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS). Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) is a type of rare blood cancer. In this syndrome, the bone marrow does not produce enough healthy blood cells.

There are a number of types of MDS. Some, for example, stay mild and can be undetected for years. However, others are more serious and progressive, and symptoms are felt and seen.

Sharing information on the signs and symptoms of MDS and highlighting the purpose of getting a full blood count analysis are both important to raise awareness. As with all cancers, the earlier the diagnosis, the better. For this reason, help spread understanding and knowledge of aplastic anemia and MDS.