Lowered blood counts [1:27]

Lowered blood counts video transcript

Chemotherapy affects rapidly dividing cells.

Your blood cells are rapidly dividing and are made in your bone marrow.

Chemotherapy can damage and reduce the number of blood cells made in your bone marrow.

The main types of blood cells affected are:

• White blood cells,
• red blood cells,
• and platelets.

If your red blood cells become low because of your treatment, you may become anaemic.

If you're anaemic, you may feel tired and become short of breath upon exertion.

Platelets help your blood to clot.

If your platelets are low because of chemotherapy, you may find that you bruise more easily.

If you experience nose bleeds or notice blood in your urine, you should report this to your treatment team as soon as possible.

Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that fight infections.

If your neutrophils become low, it can seriously affect your ability to fight infections.

This can be dangerous if left untreated.

If you develop a temperature of 38 degrees or above, you must attend your local emergency department.

Infections left untreated can result in neutropenic sepsis, and this can be life threatening.

Please attend your local emergency department if you have a temperature of 38 degrees or above.