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Two-time Academy Award winner Jane Fonda announced on Instagram on Friday that she has been diagnosed with treatable non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
“So, dear friends, I have something personal to share,” the 84-year-old man wrote.
“I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and started chemotherapy.
According to the American Cancer Society, cancer occurs when cells in the body grow out of control. The same source also explains that almost every cell in the human body can become cancerous and spread to other parts of the body.
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But what exactly is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma?
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a type of cancer that begins in the immune system.
The immune system helps fight infections, but cancer can start in white blood cells called lymphocytes and cause non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the association added.
It’s a general term used for many types of lymphoma that occur most frequently in adults, according to the association.
About 2% of men and women will be diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at some point in their lives, according to 2017-2019 data from the National Cancer Institute.
The Institute estimates that 763,401 people in the United States had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2019.
Where does lymphoma start?
According to the American Cancer Society website, “Lymphoma can arise anywhere in the body where lymph tissue is found.
These include lymph nodes, which are small bean-shaped structures connected by a network of lymphatic vessels.
They are found all over the body, including the chest, abdomen, and inside the pelvis. Lymphoid tissue is also found in the spleen, bone marrow, thymus, tonsils, and gastrointestinal tract.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms include fever, night sweats, weight loss, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Patients may experience persistent fatigue, coughing, shortness of breath, or chest pain.
What types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma are there?
According to the American Cancer Society website, “The lymphatic system is primarily made up of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infections.
There are two types of lymphocytes: B cells or T cells.
B cells help the body fight pathogens by making antibodies.
According to the American Cancer Society, “There are several types of T cells. Some T cells destroy bacteria and abnormal cells in the body.”
About 763,401 people in the United States had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2019, according to National Cancer Institute estimates.
“Other T cells can help boost or slow the activity of other immune system cells.”
Lymphoma can arise in either type of cell line, but B-cell lymphoma is the most common.
What Causes NHL?
Lymphocytes normally go through a life cycle where old lymphocytes die and the body replaces them.
According to the Mayo Clinic website, “In non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the lymphocytes do not die and the body keeps making new lymphocytes.
“This excess supply of lymphocytes collects in the lymph nodes, causing them to swell.”
Some lymphomas are more aggressive
Lymphomas can also be classified by how quickly they grow and spread to other parts of the body.
Some are known as “painless”. This means it grows and spreads slowly, so it may not need to be treated when first diagnosed.
According to the American Cancer Society, “The most common indolent lymphoma in the United States is follicular lymphoma.
Fonda posted on Instagram that she feels lucky because she has “a highly treatable cancer” with an 80% survival rate.
However, because aggressive lymphoma grows and spreads rapidly, treatment is often started immediately.
“The most common aggressive lymphoma in the United States is diffuse large B-cell lymphoma,” says the American Cancer Society. “All non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, regardless of how quickly they grow, can spread to other parts of the lymphatic system if not treated.”
Eventually they can spread to other parts of the body as well.
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According to National Cancer Institute data from 2012 to 2018, the overall 5-year relative survival rate for NHL is 73.8%.
Fonda posted on Instagram that she feels lucky because she has “a highly treatable cancer” with an 80% survival rate.
What are the risk factors?
According to the Mayo Clinic, people with NHL, such as those taking medications that weaken the immune system, and those with certain viral infections, such as HIV and the virus known as Epstein-Barr virus, which can cause mononucleosis Some people are at increased risk of
Cancer is also linked to Helicobacter pylori, which causes stomach ulcers and certain chemicals used to kill insects and weeds, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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Anyone over the age of 60 is at higher risk, but anyone can get cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Fonda says she will continue her environmental activism
Fonda, who is also an environmental advocate, said, “I have been on chemotherapy for six months and am doing well with the treatment.
In 2019, she said she was inspired by Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg to become a climate change advocate and started “Fire Drill Fridays” to raise awareness about environmental issues, according to her website. rice field.
She was arrested multiple times that year after organizing protests in Washington, D.C. over the climate crisis, according to The New York Times.
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Fonda wrote on Instagram, “I’m not going to let cancer stop me from doing the best I can with every tool in my toolbox. That includes this Fire Drill Fridays. It includes continuing to build our community and finding new ways to use our collective power to make a difference.โ