The Hidden Threat in Cancer Care You Can’t Afford to Ignore

Being a cancer patient is hard enough.

The diagnosis, the treatments, the constant worry—it’s a lot to handle.

But what if there’s another threat lurking in the shadows of your cancer care, one that your doctors might be overlooking?

It’s time to talk about anemia, a common but potentially serious complication that most cancer patients aren’t getting proper care for. And it could be impacting your health more than you realize.

A shocking new study revealed a critical gap in cancer care that you need to know about.

More than 60% of cancer patients in the U.S. don’t receive thorough anemia assessments, and even among those who do, fewer than half receive proper treatment. This oversight isn’t just a minor inconvenience—it could be affecting your quality of life and even your chances of survival.

Anemia, a condition where you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your body’s tissues, is incredibly common in cancer patients. In fact, up to 90% of patients with solid tumors may develop anemia at some point during their cancer journey.

It can be caused by the cancer itself or by the treatments you’re undergoing. Symptoms can include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and dizziness—all of which can significantly impact your daily life and ability to tolerate cancer treatments.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommends routine follow-up evaluations for patients with hemoglobin levels of 11 g/dL or lower. These evaluations should include tests to determine the cause of the anemia, which could be an iron or vitamin deficiency, or a bone marrow issue. Based on the cause, treatments might include blood transfusions, erythropoietin therapy, or iron or vitamin supplements.

But here’s the alarming part: research shows that many physicians aren’t following these guidelines. A study of over 25,000 cancer patients found that only 37% received further workup for their anemia.

Even worse, fewer than 40% of anemic patients received any treatment at all.

This isn’t just happening in the U.S.—similar patterns have been observed in other countries, including Germany. It’s a widespread problem that’s putting cancer patients at risk worldwide.

Why is this happening? Experts suggest it could be due to a lack of awareness, poor coordination between different specialists involved in cancer care, or inadequate documentation.

Whatever the reason, the consequences can be serious. Untreated anemia can lead to worse survival outcomes and significantly impact your quality of life.

But here’s the good news: you can take action to protect yourself. Here’s what you need to do:

• Know your numbers: Ask for your hemoglobin levels at every check-up. If it’s 11 g/dL or lower, you may be anemic.
• Request further testing: If you are anemic, insist on additional tests to determine the cause.
• Discuss treatment options: Talk to your oncologist about appropriate treatments based on your test results.
• Follow up: Keep track of your hemoglobin levels and how you’re feeling. If you’re still experiencing symptoms, speak up.
• Educate yourself: Learn about the symptoms of anemia so you can recognize them early.

Remember, you are your own best advocate. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and push for the care you deserve.

To your empowerment,

Rachel Mace
Managing Editorial Director, e-Alert
with contributions from the research team

Sources:

Most Cancer Patients Don’t Receive Recommended Anemia Care. (n.d.). Medscape. Retrieved June 26, 2024, from https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/most-cancer-patients-dont-receive-recommended-anemia-care-2024a1000bxh