Basketball Legend Abdul-Jabbar Treated for Leukemia
Basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is being treated for chronic myeloid leukemia and has been given an encouraging prognosis.
While doctors haven't given him any guarantees, the NBA's all-time leading scorer said they told him: "You have a very good chance to live your life out and not have to make any drastic changes to your lifestyle," the Associated Press reported.
Abdul-Jabbar, 62, is taking an oral medication for the blood cancer. At the time of diagnosis last December, doctors told him the disease was treatable with proper medication and monitoring.
Now a special assistant with the Los Angeles Lakers, Abdul-Jabbar has been able to maintain his normal level of activity of coaching, as well as his usual regimen and diet. He says he wants to raise awareness of chronic myeloid leukemia and its treatment, the AP reported.
"There is hope. This condition can be treated. You can still live a productive, full life," Abdul-Jabbar said.
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I have been following this story with great interest since I too have chronic myeloid leukemia. Many of the news stories have only focused on CML in men, giving the impression that this was a male disease. It's an equal opportunity condition that affects women as well as men. While the average person who gets CML is a 67-year-old male, I know women in their 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's who are under treatment. You can learn more about CML at the following link:
November 10, 2009 - 7:01pmhttp://www.empowher.com/media/reference/chronic-myelocytic-leukemia
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