Att 16_description of CDC funded Hematology Projects 092309

FROM THE DIVISION OF CANCER PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Contact Information

2006 / 2007

Hematologic Cancer
Initiatives

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control
Mail Stop K–64
4770 Buford Highway, NE
Atlanta, GA 30341–3717

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funds efforts to improve the awareness, diagnosis, understanding, and
treatment of hematologic cancers (cancers of the blood and bone marrow). These efforts

1 (800) CDC-INFO — Fax (770) 488-4760
CDC-INFO@cdc.gov — www.cdc.gov/cancer

• Offer health care providers the latest information about how to recognize the signs and symptoms of hematologic cancers,
and how to treat these diseases.
• Connect the public, people living with hematologic cancers, and their friends and families to resources.

References
1.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2002 Incidence
and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta, GA: Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention and National
Cancer Institute; 2005. Available at www.cdc.gov/
cancer/npcr/uscs/.

2. Ries LAG, Eisner MP, Kosary CL, Hankey BF,
Miller BA, Clegg L, et al. (eds). SEER Cancer
Statistics Review, 1975-2002. Bethesda, MD:
National Cancer Institute; 2005. Available at
http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2002/.

3. National Institutes of Health. PDQ Cancer
Information Summaries: Adult Treatment. Available at
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/adulttreatment.
4. Devita VT, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA, eds.
Principles and Practice of Oncology. Hagerstown, MD:
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2004.

The Burden of Hematologic Cancers
According to the U.S. Cancer Statistics: 2002 Incidence
and Mortality report, more than 100,000 cases of
hematologic cancers were diagnosed in this country
in 2002, and 55,756 people died from these cancers
that same year (1).* Hematologic cancers include
leukemia(s), lymphoma(s), and myeloma, all of which
involve the uncontrolled growth of cells that have
similar functions and origins.
Leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood.
The two primary types of leukemia are lymphocytic
leukemia, which involves an increase of white blood
cells called lymphocytes; and myelogenous leukemia
(also known as myeloid or myelocytic leukemia),
which involves an increase in white blood cells called
granulocytes. Leukemia can be acute or chronic.
Acute forms of leukemia progress rapidly, whereas
chronic forms of leukemia progress slowly, leading to
different approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
• The number of new cases of leukemia diagnosed
each year (incidence) in the United States increased
steadily from 1975–2002, by 0.2% per year (2).
• However, deaths from leukemia decreased by
0.6% per year from 1991–2002. This trend is
particularly notable among children, for whom
deaths from acute leukemia decreased by 3.1% per
year from 1989–2002 (2).
Lymphoma is a general term for a group of cancers
that originate in the lymph system. The two primary
types of lymphoma are Hodgkin’s lymphoma,

4

104374

which spreads in an orderly manner from one group
of lymph nodes to another; and non-Hodgkin’s
lymphoma, which spreads through the lymphatic
system in a non-orderly manner.
• Incidence of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma increased in
the United States by 0.5% per year from 1991–2002.
This increase is particularly notable among women,
for whom the incidence of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
increased 1.2% per year from 1990–2002 (2).
• Conversely, deaths from non-Hodgkin’s
lymphoma decreased significantly in the United
States, by 3.1% per year from 1997–2002 (2).
Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells. In myeloma,
the cells overgrow, forming a mass, or tumor, that
is located in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the
spongy tissue found in the center of the bone, where
red and white blood cells and platelets are made.
• Incidence of myeloma in the United States
increased by 0.9% per year from 1975–2002 (2).
Also during this time, incidence of myeloma
increased significantly by 0.8% per year among
African Americans (2).
• However, deaths from myeloma in the United
States decreased by 0.7% per year from 1995–
2002. During this same time period, myeloma
deaths among African Americans decreased by
1.4% per year (2).
* Incidence counts cover approximately 93% of the U.S. population. Death counts cover
100% of the U.S. population. Use caution in comparing incidence and death counts.

Ongoing Work

Risk Factors
Leukemia
Scientists do not fully understand all the causes of
leukemia, but research has uncovered many associations.
For example, chronic exposure to benzene in the
workplace and exposure to large doses of radiation have
been shown to cause certain types of leukemia in some
cases (3). Additionally, smoking (especially after age 60)
may be associated with some types of leukemia in adults
(3). Other risk factors for developing certain types of
leukemia may include having a family history of chronic
leukemia (3). Caucasians are more likely than African
Americans to develop acute leukemia (1), but scientists
do not know why.

Lymphoma
The main causes of lymphoma are unknown.
However, risk factors for adult Hodgkin’s lymphoma
include (3):
• Being in young or late adulthood.
• Being male.
• Being infected with the Epstein-Barr virus.
• Having a first-degree relative (parent, brother, or
sister) with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Risk factors for adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
include (3):
• Being older, male, or white.
• Having an inherited immune disorder, an
autoimmune disorder, HIV/AIDS, the EpsteinBarr virus, or a history of Helicobacter pylori
infection.
• Taking immunosuppressant drugs after an organ
transplant.
• Being exposed to certain pesticides.
• Eating a diet high in meats and fat.
• Past treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Myeloma
Age is the most significant risk factor for developing
myeloma (3). People under the age of 45 years rarely
develop the disease, and most myeloma cases occur
in people aged 67 or older (4). Men are more likely
than women to have myeloma, and myeloma is
about twice as common among African Americans as
among white Americans (1). In rare cases, exposure
to radiation may be a risk factor for developing
myeloma (3). Finally, having a brother or sister who
has multiple myeloma may increase a person’s risk of
developing the disease (3).

CDC funds public and private, nonprofit and for-profit
national organizations to increase awareness of—and
education about—hematologic cancers. This project
is designed to provide information to patients, their
family members, their friends, their caregivers, and their
health care providers. Following is a description of nine
cooperative agreements funded through this outreach:
• Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation is
expanding its existing education and outreach
programs designed to reach underserved
populations. These efforts target the public and
health care providers.
• The Research Triangle Institute is working with
the American Cancer Society to develop and test
new informational and educational hematologic
cancer resources.
• Community Media Productions created Lion in
the House, a Public Broadcasting System television
documentary on childhood cancer, which
follows five children of diverse socioeconomic
backgrounds.
• National Marrow Donor Program is creating agespecific communication materials about blood
and marrow transplants and working to increase
patients’ access to information about the blood
and marrow transplant process.

• The Lymphoma Research Foundation is creating
lymphoma-related educational materials
appropriate to the culture, language, and reading
level of medically underserved minority/
immigrant populations, and lower-literacy,
English-speaking patients.
• The Patient Advocate Foundation is providing
targeted outreach to populations affected by
leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.
• The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is
providing outreach and education to older adults
regarding leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.
• The International Myeloma Foundation is
expanding its collaborations; offering more
educational seminars; increasing distribution
of newsletters and news alerts; and sponsoring
conferences and workshops to collect the latest
information about research, diagnosis, treatment,
and management of myeloma.
• The Vox Medica is developing and testing a new
curriculum to improve primary care physicians’
ability to diagnose blood cancer.
More information about these partners is available at
www.cdc.gov/cancer/partners.

Accomplishments
In 2004, Congress encouraged CDC to support the
development of interactive, Web-based education for
health care providers on the signs of, symptoms of,
and current treatments for hematologic cancers.
Through a competitive process, CDC awarded
funding to the University of Colorado at Denver and
Health Sciences Center to design a Web site about
hematologic cancers. The site

hematologists, and oncologists, concerning the
diagnosis and treatment of hematologic cancers.
• Provides clinical consultation services online.
The Web site, www.hemoncedu.org, is accepting names
of potential participants, and the University of Colorado
is completing its online curriculum. Continuing medical
education (CME) credits also are available free of charge
at this Web site.

Future Directions
In 2006-2007, CDC will collaborate with the
National Cancer Institute’s Office of Cancer
Survivorship to support research into hematologic
cancer survivorship. CDC also will work to improve

the quality of hematologic cancer data, and will
implement programs to educate the general public
about leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

• Offers professional training courses free of charge
to nurses, pharmacists, primary care physicians,

2

3

Ongoing Work

Risk Factors
Leukemia
Scientists do not fully understand all the causes of
leukemia, but research has uncovered many associations.
For example, chronic exposure to benzene in the
workplace and exposure to large doses of radiation have
been shown to cause certain types of leukemia in some
cases (3). Additionally, smoking (especially after age 60)
may be associated with some types of leukemia in adults
(3). Other risk factors for developing certain types of
leukemia may include having a family history of chronic
leukemia (3). Caucasians are more likely than African
Americans to develop acute leukemia (1), but scientists
do not know why.

Lymphoma
The main causes of lymphoma are unknown.
However, risk factors for adult Hodgkin’s lymphoma
include (3):
• Being in young or late adulthood.
• Being male.
• Being infected with the Epstein-Barr virus.
• Having a first-degree relative (parent, brother, or
sister) with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Risk factors for adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
include (3):
• Being older, male, or white.
• Having an inherited immune disorder, an
autoimmune disorder, HIV/AIDS, the EpsteinBarr virus, or a history of Helicobacter pylori
infection.
• Taking immunosuppressant drugs after an organ
transplant.
• Being exposed to certain pesticides.
• Eating a diet high in meats and fat.
• Past treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Myeloma
Age is the most significant risk factor for developing
myeloma (3). People under the age of 45 years rarely
develop the disease, and most myeloma cases occur
in people aged 67 or older (4). Men are more likely
than women to have myeloma, and myeloma is
about twice as common among African Americans as
among white Americans (1). In rare cases, exposure
to radiation may be a risk factor for developing
myeloma (3). Finally, having a brother or sister who
has multiple myeloma may increase a person’s risk of
developing the disease (3).

CDC funds public and private, nonprofit and for-profit
national organizations to increase awareness of—and
education about—hematologic cancers. This project
is designed to provide information to patients, their
family members, their friends, their caregivers, and their
health care providers. Following is a description of nine
cooperative agreements funded through this outreach:
• Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation is
expanding its existing education and outreach
programs designed to reach underserved
populations. These efforts target the public and
health care providers.
• The Research Triangle Institute is working with
the American Cancer Society to develop and test
new informational and educational hematologic
cancer resources.
• Community Media Productions created Lion in
the House, a Public Broadcasting System television
documentary on childhood cancer, which
follows five children of diverse socioeconomic
backgrounds.
• National Marrow Donor Program is creating agespecific communication materials about blood
and marrow transplants and working to increase
patients’ access to information about the blood
and marrow transplant process.

• The Lymphoma Research Foundation is creating
lymphoma-related educational materials
appropriate to the culture, language, and reading
level of medically underserved minority/
immigrant populations, and lower-literacy,
English-speaking patients.
• The Patient Advocate Foundation is providing
targeted outreach to populations affected by
leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.
• The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is
providing outreach and education to older adults
regarding leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma.
• The International Myeloma Foundation is
expanding its collaborations; offering more
educational seminars; increasing distribution
of newsletters and news alerts; and sponsoring
conferences and workshops to collect the latest
information about research, diagnosis, treatment,
and management of myeloma.
• The Vox Medica is developing and testing a new
curriculum to improve primary care physicians’
ability to diagnose blood cancer.
More information about these partners is available at
www.cdc.gov/cancer/partners.

Accomplishments
In 2004, Congress encouraged CDC to support the
development of interactive, Web-based education for
health care providers on the signs of, symptoms of,
and current treatments for hematologic cancers.
Through a competitive process, CDC awarded
funding to the University of Colorado at Denver and
Health Sciences Center to design a Web site about
hematologic cancers. The site

hematologists, and oncologists, concerning the
diagnosis and treatment of hematologic cancers.
• Provides clinical consultation services online.
The Web site, www.hemoncedu.org, is accepting names
of potential participants, and the University of Colorado
is completing its online curriculum. Continuing medical
education (CME) credits also are available free of charge
at this Web site.

Future Directions
In 2006-2007, CDC will collaborate with the
National Cancer Institute’s Office of Cancer
Survivorship to support research into hematologic
cancer survivorship. CDC also will work to improve

the quality of hematologic cancer data, and will
implement programs to educate the general public
about leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

• Offers professional training courses free of charge
to nurses, pharmacists, primary care physicians,

2

3

FROM THE DIVISION OF CANCER PREVENTION AND CONTROL

Contact Information

2006 / 2007

Hematologic Cancer
Initiatives

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control
Mail Stop K–64
4770 Buford Highway, NE
Atlanta, GA 30341–3717

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funds efforts to improve the awareness, diagnosis, understanding, and
treatment of hematologic cancers (cancers of the blood and bone marrow). These efforts

1 (800) CDC-INFO — Fax (770) 488-4760
CDC-INFO@cdc.gov — www.cdc.gov/cancer

• Offer health care providers the latest information about how to recognize the signs and symptoms of hematologic cancers,
and how to treat these diseases.
• Connect the public, people living with hematologic cancers, and their friends and families to resources.

References
1.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2002 Incidence
and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta, GA: Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention and National
Cancer Institute; 2005. Available at www.cdc.gov/
cancer/npcr/uscs/.

2. Ries LAG, Eisner MP, Kosary CL, Hankey BF,
Miller BA, Clegg L, et al. (eds). SEER Cancer
Statistics Review, 1975-2002. Bethesda, MD:
National Cancer Institute; 2005. Available at
http://seer.cancer.gov/csr/1975_2002/.

3. National Institutes of Health. PDQ Cancer
Information Summaries: Adult Treatment. Available at
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/adulttreatment.
4. Devita VT, Hellman S, Rosenberg SA, eds.
Principles and Practice of Oncology. Hagerstown, MD:
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2004.

The Burden of Hematologic Cancers
According to the U.S. Cancer Statistics: 2002 Incidence
and Mortality report, more than 100,000 cases of
hematologic cancers were diagnosed in this country
in 2002, and 55,756 people died from these cancers
that same year (1).* Hematologic cancers include
leukemia(s), lymphoma(s), and myeloma, all of which
involve the uncontrolled growth of cells that have
similar functions and origins.
Leukemia is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood.
The two primary types of leukemia are lymphocytic
leukemia, which involves an increase of white blood
cells called lymphocytes; and myelogenous leukemia
(also known as myeloid or myelocytic leukemia),
which involves an increase in white blood cells called
granulocytes. Leukemia can be acute or chronic.
Acute forms of leukemia progress rapidly, whereas
chronic forms of leukemia progress slowly, leading to
different approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
• The number of new cases of leukemia diagnosed
each year (incidence) in the United States increased
steadily from 1975–2002, by 0.2% per year (2).
• However, deaths from leukemia decreased by
0.6% per year from 1991–2002. This trend is
particularly notable among children, for whom
deaths from acute leukemia decreased by 3.1% per
year from 1989–2002 (2).
Lymphoma is a general term for a group of cancers
that originate in the lymph system. The two primary
types of lymphoma are Hodgkin’s lymphoma,

4

104374

which spreads in an orderly manner from one group
of lymph nodes to another; and non-Hodgkin’s
lymphoma, which spreads through the lymphatic
system in a non-orderly manner.
• Incidence of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma increased in
the United States by 0.5% per year from 1991–2002.
This increase is particularly notable among women,
for whom the incidence of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
increased 1.2% per year from 1990–2002 (2).
• Conversely, deaths from non-Hodgkin’s
lymphoma decreased significantly in the United
States, by 3.1% per year from 1997–2002 (2).
Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells. In myeloma,
the cells overgrow, forming a mass, or tumor, that
is located in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the
spongy tissue found in the center of the bone, where
red and white blood cells and platelets are made.
• Incidence of myeloma in the United States
increased by 0.9% per year from 1975–2002 (2).
Also during this time, incidence of myeloma
increased significantly by 0.8% per year among
African Americans (2).
• However, deaths from myeloma in the United
States decreased by 0.7% per year from 1995–
2002. During this same time period, myeloma
deaths among African Americans decreased by
1.4% per year (2).
* Incidence counts cover approximately 93% of the U.S. population. Death counts cover
100% of the U.S. population. Use caution in comparing incidence and death counts.