Low Blood Counts Depressed blood counts can have several effects, depending on which blood component is low.
• Low red cell counts may lead to a general feeling of weakness. You can offset this effect by making sure you get
enough rest and not overtaxing yourself in your daily activities.
• Low white cell counts leave you vulnerable to infection, so it will be important to avoid people with colds or
the flu and to take other preventive measures ( see Guarding Against Infection ).
• Low platelet counts may lead to easy bruising and bleeding, so you'll have to take care to avoid cuts, burns or
injuries and to avoid aspirin and alcohol. If the platelet count is very low, you can get a transfusion. The bone
marrow will usually return to normal in two or three weeks.
Some drugs have very specific side effects. Your doctor can spell these out for you, indicate your chance of having them and outline special measures you can take to minimize or prevent them ( see Coping with Treatment ). For information on the latest drugs being used in clinical trials , see Investigational Anticancer Drugs .
If you need additional information, the Cancer Information Service of the Canadian Cancer Society has many informative brochures available free of charge. For information in English, French or several other languages, call 1-800-263-6750 or, in Quebec, call 1-800-361-4212. See also the Directory of Resources at the back of this book.
