By MAMAMIA NEWS
Anna Bligh, former premier of Queensland, announced today that she has been diagnosed with non-hodgkin’s lymphoma, a type of cancer.
The diagnosis was confirmed after a tumour was removed from a lymph node in her neck last week.
Bligh released a statement this afternoon thanking her family and friends, as well as the staff at Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital where she was treated:
The Cancer Council explains what Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is, as follows:
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a type of lymphoma, which is a general term for cancers that develop in lymphatic tissue. Sometimes non-Hodgkin lymphoma is also called non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
If you have non-Hodgkin lymphoma, your lymphocytes become damaged. They grow abnormally and multiply uncontrollably, causing your lymph nodes to enlarge and form painless lumps called tumours. As the abnormal lymphocytes replace the normal ones, your immune system becomes less effective.
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can occur in one lymph node,a group of lymph nodes or another organ. The disease can often be found in several parts of the body at the same time.
Bligh, 53, currently resides in Sydney with her husband Greg and two sons. She has asked that her family’s privacy be respected as she prepares to commence treatment in the next two weeks.
We wish Ms Bligh and her family all the best during this really difficult time, as they prepare to fight this horrible disease.
You can make a donation to the Cancer Council of Australia here.
Top Comments
Anna, I was diagnosed with NHL in 1985 when i was 35y.old. I am now 64 and in good health. In those days only 9% made it to 5 years & non to 10. I was amongst the first persons to be offered a new regime called M3.It was pretty harsh Chemo but i got through it. I have lived to see my two sons grow up. Your odds now are incredible improved.I am convinced you need to tackle this problem with your mind as well.Visualisation did it for me. Good luck
My son is in his 5th remission from non Hodgkins Lymphoma. Its a monster of a disease and the treatment is nasty and aggressive. I wish her all the best.