LLS Polls Public in Time for National Blood Cancers Awareness Month

Among other things, September is National Blood Cancers Awareness Month, prompting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to conduct a survey to find out just how aware the general public is about blood cancers. The results indicate that the charity has its work cut out.

The results

• Percentage of adults who believe that blood cancers are one of the top three leading causes of cancer death in the United States: 46
• Percentage of adults surprised to learn that more than 1 million U.S. adults are currently living with a blood cancer: 82
• Percentage of adults surprised to learn that more than about every four minutes one person in the US is diagnosed with a blood cancer: 87
• Percentage of adults surprised to learn that approximately every 10 minutes someone in the U.S. dies from a blood cancer: 86

Said John Walter, CEO & president of the LLS:

We conducted this survey to create awareness about blood cancers, and to drive home the need to focus on cures and access to therapies for blood cancer patients. As there are no means of preventing or early detection for most blood cancers, we must focus on cures. Blood Cancer Awareness Month is the right platform to create a sense of urgency about the need to continue investing in lifesaving treatments and cures.

Surprise findings

• 63 percent mistakenly believe that breast cancer is among the top three causes of cancer deaths; 27 percent mistakenly think breast cancer is the number one cancer killer. (Cancers of the respiratory system are the top cancer killers, followed by cancers of the digestive system, then blood cancers, then breast cancers).
• Finally, 97 percent of Americans "agree it’s important for all blood cancer patients to have access to potentially life-saving treatments." Three percent actually disagree with that?

The survey involved 1,007 adults ages 18 and older.

Source: LLS