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Paul Gardner Allen, ranked 32 of the world’s richest billionaires who co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates, has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or NHL which is a form of cancer that starts in the body’s lymphatic system or the immune system. Allen’s doctor has found a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and lymph nodes that are larger than normal is a major symptom of this disease. It is not the first time that he was diagnosed with cancer. Actually during the early 80′s he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease but he was able to recover and survive.
Early this month of November, Allen has begun chemotheraphy. His family supports on his fight against this cancer. This is his second fight against this disease but this doesn’t mean that he was tired of undergoing chemotherapy. In fact, he was very optimistic and full of hope that he can be able to beat this again.
Each year, more than 63,000 Americans learn they have non-Hodgkin lymphoma and according to the National Cancer Institute new cases of Non-Hodgkin’s disease this year goes up to 65,980 and over 19,500 people died this year.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma can be inherited. Know whether you have a genetic history of the disease. Many would asked if this only happens to old people but the truth is that even though people at 60 years of age are the most likely to contract this form of cancer, this can happen to all ages. There are several ways to prevent this and one way is limiting your exposure to sunlight. According to certain studies, prolonged exposure to sunlight is suggested to increase the risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Aside from ultraviolet radiation, you should also stay away from prolonged contact with insecticides, herbicides, and other chemicals. This may also contributes to the risk factor of NHL.
IMAGE CREDIT: Greg Gilbert/The Seattle Times
