Cancer is the fifth leading cause of death among South Africans.

Among the many forms of cancers, blood cancers such as Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML), as well as other blood-related disorders, are diagnosed hourly.

Observing World Cancer Day, on February 4, Dr Renata Maharaj, country head: medical affairs at Novartis South Africa, said CML, a rare but treatable blood cancer, is affecting one to two people per 100 000 globally, each year.

“Early signs of CML are easy to mistake for everyday issues, yet they should never be ignored,” she said.

“Symptoms such as persistent fatigue, heavy night sweats, unexplained weight loss, or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen due to an enlarged spleen are often vague and mistaken for stress or minor illness. However, routine blood tests could shed light on an underlying issue.”
Maharaj continued by saying the most viable treatment for CML is through a stem cell transplant.

“CML often begins in the bone marrow and progresses slowly, which makes it particularly difficult to detect early,” she said.

“Because these symptoms are vague, abnormally high white-cell counts are an indicator of a more serious illness. Due to the ‘rare but real’ nature of the disease, doctors need to be on high alert when patients present persistent and unexplained symptoms.”

The disease typically develops in three stages, but the World Health Organisation (WHO), recognises only two stages, chronic and blast.

During the chronic phase, which is the earliest and most common stage, the cancer progresses slowly and often responds very well to treatment.

“This is usually the stage where not everyone presents with symptoms,” said Maharaj.

“If left undiagnosed, CML can advance to the accelerated phase, where abnormal cells increase more rapidly, and symptoms become more noticeable. In the most severe blast phase, CML behaves more like an acute leukaemia, with fast-growing cancer cells that are harder to control.

“The key is to diagnose and begin treatment while the disease is still in the chronic phase, where outcomes are most successful.”

Treating CML

While it is rare, it is treatable, and advances in medical science have significantly improved outcomes for patients worldwide.

A stem cell transplant, also known as a bone marrow transplant, can offer a cure.

“To attain successful treatment, patients need to find a suitable donor,” she said.

“This can be a significant challenge in South Africa as only 0.04% of the population is registered stem cell donors.”

Maharaj explained that there is an urgent need for more black South Africans to register, as this population is severely under-represented in donor databases.

Organisations such as the South African Bone Marrow Registry (SABMR) and DKMS Africa work tirelessly to recruit donors, raise awareness and connect patients with life-saving matches.

“Their efforts are critical in bridging the gap and ensuring that patients who have CML and need a transplant are given a fighting chance,” Maharaj reiterated.

“With modern therapy, a patient diagnosed in the early chronic phase of CML can expect a near-normal lifespan, but that success depends on timing and access to eligible donors.”

The disease is no longer a life-limiting disease, paired with early diagnosis, awareness and the correct treatment options, patients can live long, fulfilling lives.

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