Blood cancer is the abnormal growth of red blood cells, bone marrow cells and cells of the lymphatic system. There are three types of Blood cancer - leukaemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
Leukaemia is a type of blood cancer wherein the body's ability to create red blood cells is weakened. Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer which affects lymphocytes that are a type of white blood cells. Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer involving the plasma. All these cancers are mainly caused by genetic disorder, high doses of radiation or exposure to carcinogens.
Here are the reasons why one can get blood cancer –
Genetic Mutation
Though the real cause of multiple myeloma is not known, some researchers feel that changes in the genetic information of plasma cellsare the main reason for it. The abnormalities in oncogenes-genes promote cell division like c-myc, N-ras and K-rasat initial stages of plasma cell tumours. In Myeloma cancerous cells, some parts of chromosome number 13 are missing. This results in aggressive and tough forms of myeloma cancer.
Radiation
Exposure to Radiation or chemotherapy can cause leukaemia by causing genetic damage through the translocation of genetic material on the sister chromosomes. The translocation of genetic material will cause the cell’ growth, division and death phase information be displaced. Thus, the growth of the cell is uncontrolled causing cancerous growth.
Carcinogens
Though the exact reason for lymphoma is unknown, many scientists believe that carcinogens are the main cause for the cancers. The carcinogens have an ability to damage the genetic information, the cell's ability to function and also regulate the growth. Carcinogenslike benzene and black hair dye cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
These are some of the reasons of blood cancer on which researches are still being done. Nothing is known exactly with proof. Scientists are trying their best to find the cause and medicine for the cancers.
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