Susan Sontag, Leukemia, and MDS: Understanding Blood Cancers

On screen

Susan Sontag, the influential writer, essayist, and cultural critic, died on December 28, 2004, at age 71. It was widely reported that her final illness was a blood cancer — a myelodysplastic syndrome that progressed to acute leukemia. She had faced cancer earlier in her life as well. She is remembered as one of the leading American intellectuals of her era.

We share only what was widely and publicly reported, and we do not speculate about private details of her care.

The reality

According to the National Cancer Institute, leukemia is a broad term for cancers of the blood cells; the type depends on which blood cell becomes cancer and whether it grows quickly or slowly. NCI notes that leukemia occurs most often in adults older than 55.

NCI also explains that myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a group of cancers in which immature blood cells in the bone marrow do not mature into healthy blood cells. In MDS, these immature cells do not work as they should, leaving less room for healthy blood cells and sometimes causing anemia, infection, or easy bleeding. NCI notes that certain types of MDS can progress to acute myeloid leukemia — which is why these two blood cancers are sometimes discussed together, as in Sontag's case.

What the story gets right — and what to remember

Sontag's story reflects how one blood cancer can be related to another. But blood cancers include many different types, and each person's diagnosis, outlook, and treatment are different. Her experience is a way to learn and to remember, not a roadmap for anyone else's care, and not medical advice.

Awareness, screening & prevention

For leukemia, NCI states plainly that it does not have evidence-based information about preventing or screening for the disease — in other words, there is no recommended routine screening test for the general public. For MDS, NCI notes that risk factors include older age and past chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer, and it describes symptoms such as shortness of breath, feeling tired, paler skin, and easy bruising or bleeding. These symptoms are reasons to check in with a healthcare professional, who can decide whether blood tests make sense.

Turning a story into something useful

A writer as widely read as Susan Sontag brought attention, through her life and death, to cancers that many people know little about. Learning what leukemia and MDS are, understanding that research continues, and sharing accurate information are quiet ways to make that count. Supporting free, trustworthy cancer education helps more people find clear answers when they need them.

Questions to ask a healthcare team

• What do my blood test results mean, and do they need follow-up?
• What is the difference between the type of blood cancer I'm hearing about and others?
• What symptoms should prompt a call to a care team?
• Where can I find reliable, plain-language information about blood cancers?