Understanding Chronic Conditions
Embracing Facts to Inspire Hope
Discovering a family member's Chronic Myeloid Leukemia diagnosis felt like our world fell apart, leaving us feeling shattered. Despite doctors' reassurances that a normal life was achievable with proper medication and backing their assurances with data, our fear blinded us, making it hard to see beyond the worst outcomes.
Chronic diseases, unlike temporary illnesses, require ongoing management but don't spell a hopeless future. Thanks to medical advancements, many with chronic conditions lead vibrant lives.
I believe that conveying these facts through data visualization, rather than mere words and statistics, could offer solace to those caught in a spiral of negativity. Below, you'll find insights and data that inspire hope for a brighter, more normal future:
Chronic Conditions in the US
Approximately 6 out of 10 adults currently have at least one chronic condition.
Percentages
This amounts to around 150,000,000 individuals.
-rand.org (2017)
Types of Chronic Conditions
The most prevalent conditions include:
High blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, diabetes, cancer, and heart attacks.
Focusing on Leukemia
About 15% of all new cases of leukemia are chronic myeloid leukemia.
-cancer.org
Improvements in Life Expectancy over the Years
A dramatic improvement in the survival of patients with CML occurred after the introduction of imatinib mesylate, the first tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), in 2000.
-Journal of Clinical Oncology (2016)
Complete Hematologic Response (CHR)
Nearly all patients treated with TKIs achieve a CHR, where blood counts return to normal levels.
-National Library of Medicine (2010)
Possibility of Treatment-Free Remission
Studies have shown that approximately 6 out of 10 CML patients who attempt TFR after achieving a sustained deep molecular response (DMR) are able to remain in remission without taking TKIs.
-National Library of Medicine (2021)