Lymphoma Awareness Day
World Lymphoma Awareness Day is celebrated every year on 15 September, the aim of which is to make people aware about lymphoma. The lymphatic system is a system that connects organs, blood vessels, and tissues, enabling the body to fight infection. According to the World Health Organization, 40,159 people die due to lymphatic cancer every year in India.
What is Lymphoma?
The body has cells called lymphocytes, which are found in the nodes, spleen, thymus and bone marrow to fight infection. When these cells change, they grow out of control, causing lumps to form in the affected areas. These lumps can later turn into cancer. Typically, lymphoma cancer lumps appear in the neck, chest, upper thighs, and armpits. However, not all lumps are a sign of cancer.
How are knots formed?
Causes of infection: Lymph nodes may swell due to infection. For example, when there is an infection in the throat, pain and a lump may be felt, which goes away as soon as the infection is cured.
Lipoma: In some individuals, a lump of fatty tissue forms under the skin, which is soft, movable and painless. In most cases they are non-cancerous, but sometimes abnormal cell growth can cause a tumor to form. Some of these may be cancerous.
alertness to knots
If the lump is hard, does not move easily and continues to grow, then be alert. Apart from this, contact the doctor immediately if you feel weakness, sudden weight loss, night sweats, prolonged fever, and persistent enlargement of lymph nodes in the neck, armpit and thigh.
According to a 2025 report by American Family Physician, if the lump persists for more than 4 weeks, consult a doctor. The main cause of swollen lymph nodes is infection, and the risk of cancer is 1.1%, which increases over the age of 40. Lymphoma is detected by biopsy of tissue of the affected area.
preventive measures
Wash hands regularly to avoid infection. Be careful in contact with infected persons and take care of hygiene.
Eat a balanced diet.
Keep your weight under control.
Get the necessary vaccinations done on time.
Do not try to fix the lump yourself.