What Is Leukaemia?

Leukaemia is a Cancer which affects the white blood cells. White blood cells are developed from cells in the bone marrow called stem cells and are part of the body’s immune system. Normally cells are reproduced in an orderly fashion with new ones being produced to replace older ones, sometimes however this process gets out of control and abnormal cells are produced.

These abnormal cells are called Leukaemia cells and will stay in the bone marrow and reproduce uncontrollably which will lead to overcrowding and reduce the amount of normal cells which can be produced. This could lead to the immune system struggling to fight off infections or disease.

Types of Leukaemia

Leukaemia can be classed as either myeloid or lymphoid depending on what type of white blood cell is affected, the condition can then be categorised further as acute or chronic depending on the speed of progression. The four main types of Leukaemia are:

• Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
• Chronic Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
• Acute Myeloid Leukaemia
• Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
  

Travel Insurance and Leukaemia

To avoid being caught out on Holiday you should think about declaring any pre-existing medical condition while applying for Travel Insurance. If you are living with a form of Leukaemia declaring it will ensure you will be covered for all eventualities related to the Leukaemia and will work out considerably cheaper than if you were to fall ill abroad without medical cover.