Blood Cancer Awareness Month 2026: Understanding Symptoms, Diagnosis and Advances in Treatment

Blood cancers affect the blood, bone marrow or lymphatic system and can interfere with the production and normal function of blood cells. The challenge is that early signs such as persistent fatigue, unexplained fever, frequent infections, unusual bruising or swollen lymph nodes may also occur with several non-cancerous conditions, making them difficult to recognise as possible warning signs.

Observed throughout September, Blood Cancer Awareness Month 2026 aims to improve understanding of these cancers, encourage attention to persistent or unexplained symptoms and promote timely medical evaluation. To help, in this blog, we’ll explain the common symptoms of blood cancer, how doctors reach an accurate diagnosis and how advances in targeted therapy, immunotherapy and stem cell transplantation are expanding treatment options for eligible patients.

What is Blood Cancer Awareness Month?

Blood Cancer Awareness Month is observed every September to increase awareness about blood cancers, their possible signs and symptoms, and the experiences of people living with these conditions. It also provides an opportunity to highlight progress in research, diagnosis and treatment while supporting patients and families affected by blood cancer.

There is no single universally adopted global theme for Blood Cancer Awareness Month 2026. Different organisations are using their own campaigns. For example, Blood Cancer UK is focusing its 2026 campaign on “Here for This”, encouraging people affected by blood cancer to share the everyday moments and milestones that matter to them.

One message, however, remains relevant across these initiatives: blood cancer is not one disease. Leukaemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and other haematological cancers can differ considerably in the cells they affect, how quickly they progress and the treatment they require.

Understanding Different Types of Blood Cancer

Blood cancer is a broad term for cancers that begin in blood-forming tissues or cells of the immune system. Blood cancers may affect the bone marrow, circulating blood, lymph nodes or other parts of the lymphatic system.

Three of the main groups are leukaemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma, although several other haematological malignancies also exist.

Leukaemia

Leukaemia usually begins in the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. Abnormal blood-forming cells multiply and can interfere with the production and function of healthy red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Leukaemias are further classified according to the type of blood cell involved and how quickly the disease develops. Common examples include:

• Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)
• Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)
• Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)
• Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML)

The distinction between acute and chronic disease is important. Acute leukaemias generally progress quickly and need prompt treatment, whereas some chronic leukaemias may develop more slowly.

Lymphoma

Lymphoma develops from lymphocytes, white blood cells involved in immune defence. The two broad groups are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but each includes further subtypes.

Some lymphomas are indolent, meaning they usually grow slowly. Others are aggressive and progress more rapidly. This difference can influence whether treatment needs to begin immediately and which therapies are most appropriate. Tissue examination and immunophenotyping play an important role in identifying the exact lymphoma subtype.

Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma develops from plasma cells, immune cells that normally produce antibodies. Cancerous plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and can interfere with normal blood-cell production.

The disease may also affect the bones, kidneys and immune system. Depending on the individual, problems can include anaemia, bone pain or fractures, recurrent infections, high calcium levels or impaired kidney function.

Other Haematological Cancers

The broader group of blood cancers also includes conditions such as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). According to Blood Cancer UK, there are more than 100 recognised types and subtypes of blood cancer.

This diversity explains why two people who both say they have “blood cancer” may have very different symptoms, tests, treatment plans and long-term outlooks.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Blood Cancer

Blood cancer symptoms vary according to the disease and the cells or organs affected. Some people experience noticeable symptoms, while others first come to medical attention because a routine blood test shows an abnormality.

Most of the symptoms associated with blood cancer are not specific to cancer, so having one does not mean someone has the disease. What deserves attention is a change that remains unexplained, persists or occurs alongside other concerning symptoms.

Symptoms Related to Changes in Blood Cells

When a blood cancer interferes with normal blood-cell production, symptoms may include:

• Persistent tiredness or weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Recurrent or unusual infections
• Fever without an obvious cause
• Easy bruising
• Unusual or prolonged bleeding
• Pale skin in some people

These symptoms may develop when healthy red blood cells, infection-fighting white cells or platelets become reduced.

Swollen Lymph Nodes and General Symptoms

Some blood cancers may cause:

• Painless swelling of lymph nodes, commonly in the neck, armpit or groin
• Drenching night sweats
• Unexplained fever
• Unintentional weight loss
• Persistent fatigue
• A feeling of abdominal fullness if the spleen becomes enlarged

Bone or Back Pain

Bone pain can occur in certain blood cancers, particularly multiple myeloma. The spine, ribs, hips or other bones may be affected.

However, back or bone pain is extremely common and is usually caused by conditions other than cancer. Persistent or unexplained pain, particularly when it occurs with other abnormalities such as anaemia, kidney problems or repeated fractures, deserves medical assessment.

When Should Symptoms Be Checked?

Seek medical advice if symptoms are persistent, unexplained, becoming worse or occurring together. Repeated infections, unexplained bruising or bleeding, persistent swollen lymph nodes, drenching night sweats or unexpected weight loss should not simply be ignored.

Medical evaluation helps identify the cause. It does not mean that a blood cancer will necessarily be found.

How are Blood Cancers Diagnosed?

There is no single “blood cancer test” that diagnoses every disease. The investigations depend on the symptoms, blood counts and type of cancer suspected.

Modern diagnosis increasingly combines clinical assessment with pathology, immunophenotyping, cytogenetics and molecular testing so doctors can identify the disease as precisely as possible.

Blood Tests May Provide the First Clue

A complete blood count (CBC) measures red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. A differential count provides further information about different types of white blood cells.

Doctors may also examine a peripheral blood smear, which allows blood cells to be reviewed under a microscope. Additional blood tests may assess kidney and liver function, calcium levels, proteins or other disease-specific markers.

An abnormal CBC can raise suspicion of some leukaemias and other blood disorders. However, normal or near-normal routine blood counts cannot rule out every type of blood cancer, particularly lymphomas that mainly involve lymph nodes or other tissues.

Bone Marrow Examination

A bone marrow aspiration and biopsy allows specialists to examine the cells being produced inside the marrow.

It may be used to:

• Confirm or classify certain leukaemias
• Evaluate multiple myeloma
• Assess selected lymphomas
• Measure the amount of disease
• Perform further genetic or molecular testing

Whether a bone marrow examination is required depends on the suspected diagnosis.

Lymph Node or Tissue Biopsy

For lymphoma, an affected lymph node or another involved tissue often needs to be sampled.

A pathologist examines the tissue architecture and cell characteristics. Additional laboratory techniques help determine whether lymphoma is present and, importantly, which subtype it is. NCI notes that immunophenotyping can help diagnose specific types of lymphoma.

Flow Cytometry and Immunophenotyping

Blood cancers arise from different types and stages of blood cells. Flow cytometry and immunophenotyping examine markers on or within abnormal cells to help determine their origin and characteristics.

This can help distinguish between closely related leukaemias and lymphomas and contributes to accurate disease classification.

Cytogenetic and Molecular Testing

Many blood cancers are further defined by specific chromosome changes, gene mutations or fusion genes.

Testing may include:

• Conventional cytogenetics
• Fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH)
• Polymerase chain reaction-based tests
• Next-generation sequencing in selected cases

These results may help confirm the diagnosis, determine risk and identify abnormalities that can be targeted with specific treatments.

Imaging When Needed

Imaging is particularly important for some lymphomas and myeloma. Depending on the disease, doctors may use CT, PET-CT, MRI or X-rays to assess lymph nodes, bones or other involved areas. Multiple myeloma assessment, for example, may include imaging to identify bone lesions.

The aim of this detailed work-up is not simply to say that someone has blood cancer. It is to establish which blood cancer is present and understand its biological characteristics well enough to guide treatment.

Why the Exact Blood Cancer Subtype Matters

The term “blood cancer” is useful for awareness, but it is too broad to determine treatment.

A person with acute myeloid leukaemia may need treatment to begin quickly. Someone with an indolent lymphoma or selected CLL may initially be monitored. A person with multiple myeloma may require a combination built around therapies that target plasma-cell biology.

Doctors therefore consider factors such as:

• The exact disease and subtype
• How quickly it is behaving
• Genetic and molecular abnormalities
• Disease burden or stage where relevant
• Age and overall health
• Kidney, heart and other organ function
• Previous treatments and response

This precision has become increasingly important as blood cancer treatment has expanded beyond conventional chemotherapy.

Advances in Blood Cancer Treatment

Treatment for many blood cancers has changed considerably over the past two decades. Chemotherapy remains important, but doctors now have a growing range of targeted medicines, immune-based treatments, stem cell transplantation and cellular therapies.

The appropriate option depends on the disease. Advances that transform treatment for one blood cancer may have little or no role in another.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapies act on particular proteins or biological pathways that help cancer cells grow or survive.

One of the best-known examples is CML, where medicines can target the abnormal BCR::ABL1 tyrosine kinase that drives the disease. Targeted treatments are also now used in several leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and myeloproliferative disorders. NCI describes targeted therapy as a foundation of precision medicine because treatment can be matched to specific cancer-cell features.

This is one reason molecular testing has become so important: identifying a relevant abnormality may sometimes help determine whether a targeted medicine is appropriate.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy uses or modifies the immune system to attack cancer.

In blood cancers, immune-based approaches include monoclonal antibodies and other therapies directed against specific markers on cancer cells. These treatments may be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy or targeted medicines depending on the disease.

The development of immune-based treatment has substantially expanded options for several lymphomas, leukaemias and multiple myeloma.

CAR T-Cell Therapy

CAR T-cell therapy is a form of cellular immunotherapy. T cells are collected from the patient and modified in a laboratory so that they carry a chimeric antigen receptor capable of recognising a specific target on cancer cells. The modified cells are multiplied and infused back into the patient.

CAR T-cell therapy is now used for selected patients with certain B-cell leukaemias and lymphomas, as well as multiple myeloma, particularly in defined relapsed or refractory settings. It is a highly specialised treatment and is not appropriate for every person with blood cancer.

Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplantation

A haematopoietic stem cell transplant helps restore healthy blood-cell production after intensive cancer treatment.

Two broad approaches are used:

• Autologous transplant: The patient’s own stem cells are collected and later returned.
• Allogeneic transplant: Stem cells come from a suitable donor.

The role of each differs across diseases. Stem cell transplantation is commonly used in selected leukaemias, lymphomas and multiple myeloma, as well as some non-cancerous blood disorders.

Allogeneic transplantation can also produce a graft-versus-leukaemia effect, in which donor immune cells recognise and attack remaining cancer cells.

Treatment Is Becoming More Individualised

The important change is not that newer treatments have replaced every older one. Instead, doctors now have more ways to match treatment to the biology and behaviour of the disease.

For one patient, chemotherapy may remain the most effective approach. Another may benefit from targeted therapy or an antibody-based treatment. For selected patients with relapsed disease, CAR T-cell therapy or transplantation may become relevant.

An advance in treatment only becomes useful when it is applied to the right disease and the right patient.

Not Every Blood Cancer Needs Immediate Treatment

A cancer diagnosis naturally creates an expectation that treatment should start as quickly as possible. With some blood cancers, however, immediate treatment does not necessarily provide an advantage.

Certain indolent lymphomas and cases of CLL may remain stable without causing significant problems. Doctors may recommend active surveillance or watchful waiting, which involves regular reviews rather than beginning treatment straight away.

During this period, the care team may monitor:

• Symptoms
• Blood counts
• Lymph-node or spleen changes
• Disease-specific laboratory markers
• Imaging where needed

Active surveillance is not the same as ignoring the disease. It is a planned clinical approach in which treatment begins when there is evidence that it has become necessary.

In contrast, acute leukaemias and some aggressive lymphomas can progress quickly and generally require prompt treatment. This difference again shows why knowing the exact diagnosis matters.

Monitoring During and After Blood Cancer Treatment

Starting treatment is only one part of blood cancer care. Doctors also need to know whether the disease is responding and whether that response is being maintained.

The method used to monitor treatment depends on the cancer. It may involve:

• Complete blood counts
• Physical examination
• PET-CT or other imaging
• Bone marrow assessment
• Disease-specific blood or protein tests
• Cytogenetic or molecular testing
• Measurable residual disease (MRD) testing in selected blood cancers

Molecular and MRD tests can sometimes detect very small amounts of disease that cannot be identified through symptoms or routine examination alone.

After treatment, follow-up schedules also vary. Some patients need frequent monitoring initially, while others require longer intervals once the disease remains stable. Follow-up can also help identify treatment-related effects and address ongoing physical or emotional concerns.

Supportive Care is Part of Blood Cancer Treatment

Blood cancers and their treatments can affect healthy blood cells and immune function, so supportive care often plays an important role alongside cancer-directed therapy.

Preventing and Managing Infections

Some blood cancers and treatments weaken the immune system. Patients may need infection-prevention measures, rapid assessment of fever and, in selected circumstances, antimicrobial medicines or other supportive treatments.

A fever during certain intensive blood cancer treatments can require urgent medical attention. Patients should follow the specific instructions provided by their treating team.

Blood and Platelet Support

When red blood cells or platelets become very low, blood-component transfusions may be required to manage anemia or reduce bleeding risk.

Nutrition and Symptom Management

Nausea, mouth sores, poor appetite, fatigue or changes in taste can make treatment more difficult. Nutrition support, symptom-control medicines and other measures can help patients maintain strength and cope with treatment.

Emotional and Psychological Support

Repeated tests, prolonged treatment, transplant preparation or uncertainty about response can also affect emotional wellbeing.

Counselling, psychological support and clear communication with the healthcare team can help patients and families understand what is happening and manage the practical and emotional demands of care.

Supportive care is not separate from cancer treatment. It helps make intensive treatment safer and helps patients maintain comfort and quality of life throughout the process.

When Should You Consult a Haemato-Oncologist?

A haemato-oncologist specialises in cancers and other serious disorders affecting the blood, bone marrow and lymphatic system.

Specialist assessment may be appropriate when:

• Repeated blood tests show unexplained abnormalities
• A lymph node remains enlarged or continues to grow
• Recurrent infections occur without an obvious reason
• Unexplained bruising or bleeding develops
• Persistent fever, drenching night sweats or unexplained weight loss occur
• A bone marrow, blood or lymph-node test raises concern for a haematological cancer
• Blood cancer has already been diagnosed and treatment planning or a second opinion is needed.

These findings have many possible causes other than cancer. Consulting a specialist helps determine what further evaluation is appropriate rather than relying on symptoms or test results in isolation.

Comprehensive Blood Cancer Care at RGCIRC

At Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre (RGCIRC), blood cancer care is provided through a dedicated haemato-oncology and transplant programme supported by specialised haemato-pathology and molecular diagnostics. Diagnostic capabilities include bone marrow examination, flow cytometry, cytogenetics, FISH and molecular testing, helping the team identify the exact disease subtype and guide treatment decisions. (Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute)

Depending on the diagnosis and individual clinical needs, treatment may include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, stem cell transplantation and CAR T-cell therapy for eligible patients. Blood bank and supportive-care services further support patients who require intensive treatment. (Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute)

By bringing together specialist expertise, advanced diagnostics, clinical excellence and empathy, the team aims to provide patients and families with clear guidance and coordinated care from diagnosis through treatment and long-term follow-up.

To consult a cancer specialist at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute & Research Centre, call +91-11-47022222 or visit www.rgcirc.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is Blood Cancer Awareness Month 2026?

Blood Cancer Awareness Month is observed throughout September. It aims to improve public understanding of blood cancers, increase awareness of possible symptoms and support people affected by these diseases.

2. What are the three main types of blood cancer?

The three widely recognised groups are leukaemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. However, blood cancer includes many additional diseases and subtypes, including myelodysplastic syndromes and myeloproliferative neoplasms.

3. Can a normal blood test rule out blood cancer?

No. Some leukaemias and other blood cancers may cause abnormal blood counts, but a normal routine blood test cannot exclude every lymphoma, myeloma or other haematological cancer. Diagnosis may require specialised blood tests, imaging, bone marrow examination or tissue biopsy depending on the suspected disease.

4. Does every swollen lymph node mean lymphoma?

No. Lymph nodes commonly become enlarged because of infections and other non-cancerous conditions. A node that persists, enlarges or occurs with other unexplained symptoms should be medically assessed.

5. Does everyone with blood cancer need a bone marrow transplant?

No. Stem cell or bone marrow transplantation is used only for selected patients and specific diseases. Suitability depends on the diagnosis, disease risk, treatment response, age, general health and availability of an appropriate donor when an allogeneic transplant is being considered.

6. Can blood cancer be treated with CAR T-cell therapy?

CAR T-cell therapy is an option for selected patients with certain blood cancers, including particular B-cell leukaemias and lymphomas and multiple myeloma. Eligibility depends on the exact disease, previous treatment and individual clinical circumstances.

7. Which is the best hospital for blood cancer treatment in Delhi?

For patients looking for the best hospital for blood cancer treatment in Delhi, it is important to choose a centre with experienced haemato-oncologists, advanced haemato-pathology and molecular diagnostics, multidisciplinary treatment planning, stem cell transplantation and access to specialised therapies when required. At RGCIRC, our haemato-oncology programme combines these capabilities with clinical excellence, specialist expertise and empathetic care. Patients receive individualised treatment planning and ongoing support, helping them and their families understand the diagnosis, treatment options and next steps throughout care.