Prediction and Prevention of Cancer-Associated Blood Clots

Special Series: Approaches to Patients with Cancer and Thrombosis (Blood Clots)

Plain language summary of Prediction and Prevention of Cancer-Associated Thromboembolism The Oncologist, January 2021

This research article talks about how to prevent blood clots in patients with cancer. Here are some of the key findings.    

  • Patients with cancer are more likely to get a blood clot than patients without cancer. 
  • The risk of getting a blood clot depends on the type of cancer you have, the kind of treatment you receive, and other factors. 
  • When in the hospital, patients with cancer may receive medicine to help prevent blood clots. 
  • Research also shows that people with cancer who are not in the hospital and at home may also benefit from medicine to help prevent blood clots. 
  • All patients with cancer should receive education about the signs and symptoms of blood clots.
  • Guidelines suggest doctors should use a checklist to: 
    1. identify all people with cancer who are at high risk for blood clots and 
    2. offer them medicine to help prevent blood clots if they don’t have a high risk of bleeding for other reasons.
  • If you or a loved one has cancer, you can learn more about the risk for blood clots here.

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