Although, cord blood banking is fast gaining acceptability among the common masses, there are certain misconceptions lurking in the minds of people. Here are certain common myths that have been busted to bring out the real picture to you.
Myth 1: Doctors don’t treat a patient with his or her own sample of cord blood, as it would contain some disease.
Fact : A large number of autologous stem cell transplants (that use patient’s own cells) are carried out every year to treat disease like leukemia, myeloma, lymphoma, and other solid tumors. A research published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology states that a patient’s own stem cells are the best choice for transplantation, even if there is an early-onset disease.
Study has proved that autologous transplants on infants suffering from severe leukemia were as successful as allogenic ones. The former has an advantage that there is no risk of graft vs. host disease, which is the major cause of death among transplant patients; is readily available; and there is low risk of contamination of cells. In April, 2001, doctors in Canada performed the first ever autologous transplant on a 10-month-old baby for treating retinoblastoma, a kind of eye cancer, which had reached his spinal cord.
Myth 2 : if your family doesn’t have a record of cancer, your baby or sibling won’t ever require stem cells.
Fact : Families go for cord blood preservation as a sort of insurance for future need for their child or family member. Most of the cancers are still a mystery and the bad news is that they are spreading at an alarming rate. The latest study reveals the horrifying fact that one in every 630 children is prone to cancer by the age of 15. Hence, it is always a good idea to opt for cord blood banking. You never know when you need it to save the life of your child.
Myth 3 : Cord blood collection draws essential blood from the baby.
Fact: Not at all. Stem cell cord blood is present in umbilical cord, which is anyways thrown out after delivery. The umbilical cord is clamped and cut, and thereafter, the blood is drawn out from it.
Myth 4: You can offer donation to a public cord blood bank and regain the stem cells in the future, if needed.
Fact : Only if the cord blood sample is banked and not been used for research purpose or for some other patient, a family might regain their donated blood sample. It is important to know that not all donated cord blood samples are banked. Numerous study reports reveal that more than 50 per cent of the potential donors are not eligible to donate cord blood. Around 71 per cent of donations are prone to rejection by the banks based on factors like family medical record, volume of collection, and blood sample analysis of the mother.
Cord Blood Storage is a simple way to secure your family. Get rid of all your misconceptions and opt for
Cord Blood Preservation with a reputed stem cell cord blood bank.
Cord Blood Banking has all the information and answers all your questions about stem cell banking.
