Blood Cancer Awareness Month

Understanding Blood Cancer. Advancing Care. Inspiring Hope.

September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and other blood cancers—and to recognize the patients, families, caregivers, researchers, and healthcare professionals working every day to fight these diseases.

At Eastern Connecticut Hematology & Oncology (ECHO), we believe awareness is an important part of better care. Understanding the signs and symptoms of blood cancers, knowing your treatment options, and having access to experienced hematology specialists can make an important difference.

This September, ECHO is proud to shine a light on blood cancer and the advances that are giving patients more options and more hope.

What Are Blood Cancers?

Blood cancers are cancers that affect the blood, bone marrow, or lymphatic system. The three major types are:

Leukemia

Leukemia begins in blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow. There are several different types, including acute and chronic forms of lymphocytic and myeloid leukemia.

Lymphoma

Lymphoma begins in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infection. The two major categories are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which include many different subtypes.

Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma begins in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell found in the bone marrow. Abnormal plasma cells can interfere with the production of healthy blood cells and affect the bones and other organs.

Blood cancers can be complex, and each type—and each patient—requires an individualized approach to diagnosis and treatment.

Know the Possible Warning Signs

Symptoms of blood cancer can vary widely and may also be caused by conditions that are not cancer.

Possible signs include:

• Persistent or unexplained fatigue
• Frequent or recurring infections
• Unexplained bruising or bleeding
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fever or night sweats
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Bone or joint pain
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness or unusual tiredness

For some blood cancers, symptoms may be subtle or may not appear early in the disease.

If you have persistent or unexplained symptoms, talk with your healthcare provider. Your physician can determine whether additional testing or evaluation is appropriate.

Treatment Is More Personalized Than Ever

Advances in hematology and oncology have expanded the number of treatment options available to patients with blood cancers.

Depending on the type and characteristics of the disease, treatment may include:

• Chemotherapy
• Targeted therapies
• Immunotherapy
• Combination therapies
• Stem cell transplantation
• Supportive therapies
• Clinical trials

Your treatment plan may depend on the specific type and subtype of blood cancer, genetic and molecular characteristics, previous treatments, overall health, and your individual needs and goals.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to blood cancer care.

Research Is Creating New Possibilities

One of the most exciting areas of blood cancer care is the continued development of new treatments.

At ECHO, research is an important part of our commitment to patient care. Our practice participates in national clinical trials, allowing eligible patients to consider promising therapies while receiving care close to home.

ECHO currently offers clinical research opportunities in hematologic cancers, including studies involving chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), and multiple myeloma. Clinical trials change as studies open, close, and enroll new patients, so patients should speak with their physician or our research team about current opportunities.

Hope Through Research

Clinical trials don’t just help researchers learn about new treatments. They can also give eligible patients access to therapies that may not yet be widely available.

You don’t always have to travel to a major academic medical center to participate in cancer research.

ECHO brings clinical research opportunities into a community setting, allowing patients to receive care closer to home while participating in carefully monitored studies. Click here for our current clinical trials.

Expert Hematology Care, Close to Home

A blood cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming. At ECHO, our hematology and oncology team works with each patient to understand their diagnosis, explain treatment options, and develop a personalized plan of care.

As an independent community hematology and oncology practice, ECHO provides comprehensive cancer care in a personalized setting. Our goal is to give patients access to advanced treatment, clinical research, and supportive services without losing the personal connection that is so important during cancer treatment.

Your Care. Your Questions. Your Team.

Whether you have recently been diagnosed, are seeking a second opinion, or want to learn more about your treatment options, our team is here to help.

You don’t have to navigate a blood cancer diagnosis alone.

Why Patients Chose ECHO →
Meet Our Team →
Explore Clinical Trials →
Contact ECHO →

This Blood Cancer Awareness Month, We Stand With You.

We honor everyone whose life has been touched by blood cancer.

We celebrate survivors.

We remember those we’ve lost.

We support patients and families facing a diagnosis today.

And we continue to advance care through research and innovation.

At ECHO, our commitment is simple: expert care, personalized attention, and hope—close to home.