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What Do You Know About Your 'Nodes'?We are familiar with many parts of our body and how they relate to our health, but when it comes to our lymphatic system, Canadians just don’t “Know their Nodes.” Many have heard of lymph nodes and know they are somewhere in the body, but beyond that, details about the lymphatic system and lymphoma often remain a mystery. Take some time to take the quiz to find out how much you know about your nodes and learn a little more about the lymphatic system, one we can’t live without.
Correct! A lymph node is a small, jelly bean-shaped organ. However, lymph nodes grow in size when they need more power to do their job fighting off bacteria and viruses.
Correct! No one actually knows exactly how many lymph nodes are in the body, but it is estimated that 600 can be counted from head to toe.
Lymphoma can occur at any age – affecting children, men and women. Global research is currently seeking the answer to why lymphomas occur at all ages, including some lymphomas that are actually more common in young individuals.
Correct! Lymph nodes are the filters of the lymphatic system. They clean the lymph fluid and lymphocytes, removing bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances. The nodes are also responsible for the manufacture and storage of infection-fighting cells called lymphocytes.
Correct! Lymph nodes can be found anywhere! Nodes are strategically located throughout the whole body where bacteria are most commonly found.
Yes! You can feel lymph nodes in the armpits, the groin and the neck. There are many more that can’t be felt, such as nodes in the stomach, pelvis and chest.
Mission accomplished! The lymphatic system is a network of tissue, ducts and organs that is an important part of the immune system, playing a major role in the body’s defense against infection and cancer.
Correct! When working to fight an infection, the nodes become much larger because they need more power to do their job. You may even notice your lymph nodes become tender when the body is fighting infection (such as "mono" or strep throat).
Correct! Nodes are symmetrical. During a regular physical examination, a physician will feel and compare five pairs of matching lymph nodes to make sure they are healthy.
False – Lymph nodes are sometimes incorrectly called “glands” or “lymph glands," but they do not secrete anything and are therefore not glands. Lymph nodes act as filters, with an internal honeycomb of connective tissue filled with lymphocytes that collect and destroy bacteria and viruses.
Correct! A lymphocyte is a type of white blood cell, which helps fight viruses or bacteria that cause infection. Lymphocytes are moved throughout the lymphatic system in a clear fluid called lymph.
Correct! The lymphatic system looks like a tree, with many outstretched branches called lymphatic vessels that act like channels carrying a colourless liquid called lymph. In fact, the lymphatic system looks a lot like the circulation system which carries blood through the body.
While there are cures for some types of lymphoma, at this time there is no
known cure for many types of lymphoma. New treatments are continuously
working to improve the quality of life and offer survival benefits for people
living with lymphoma. In recent years there have been exciting advances in
research to treat lymphoma which offer much hope. Through an ongoing
commitment to research, it is hoped that a cure will ultimately be found for all
types of lymphoma.
Correct! Tonsils, perhaps the best known part of the lymphatic system, are lymphatic organs. They work with the immune system to help prevent infections.
Lymphoma is the most commonly occurring blood cancer and the second most common childhood cancer in Canada. Although the disease is becoming increasingly more common, many people are still unaware of lymphoma and that it is a life-threatening form of cancer.
Correct! Global research is targeting questions about the role genetics play in controlling lymphoma behaviour and its response to treatment. For more information on lymphoma research, visit http://www.lymphoma.ca/.
Approximately 8, 620 Canadians - the passenger capacity of 180 yellow school buses - will be diagnosed with lymphoma this year, placing it in the top 5 most common types of cancer in Canada, affecting children, men and women.
Correct! Since the signs and symptoms of lymphoma can often be mistaken for
other less serious illnesses, make sure you know what to look for. By knowing
more about your nodes, the symptoms can be detected early and there is a better
chance for quicker diagnosis, treatment and overall survival. For a complete
list of signs and symptoms click here.
There are more than 35 types of lymphoma. The two most common types are Hodgkin’s lymphoma, discovered by Thomas Hodgkin in 1832, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which break out into 30 different types. The different types of lymphoma affect different types of lymphocytes.
The answer is unknown. In fact, lymphoma has one of the fastest rising incidence rates of any cancer, affecting more than one million people worldwide living with lymphoma today. Researchers across the world are looking into the answers to why lymphoma continues to rise, while other common cancers are declining.
False – Unlike some cancers, the causes of lymphoma are complex and largely unknown. However, research is working hard to search out the causes and subsequent treatments and eventually a cure for this cancer.
Thank You
Thank you for completing the quiz.
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