UNDERSTANDING YOUR RISK FOR DEVELOPING BLOOD CLOTS (VTE) IN CANCER

What is VTE? VTE means venous thromboembolism VTE is a blood clot that can form inside of your veins In some cases, the clot becomes big enough to block the blood flow Depending on the location of the blood clot, the VTE can be called a deep vein thrombosis, or a pulmonary embolism Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): a blood clot in a deep blood vessel of the leg or arm Pulmonary embolism (PE): occurs when a blood clot breaks off, travels through the blood stream and lodges in the lung

Is VTE serious? VTE is the 2nd leading cause of death in patients with cancer1,2 If the VTE is caught early, your healthcare professional can treat it appropriately 1.Carrier M, et al. Clinical challenges in patients with cancer-associated thrombosis: Canadian expert consensus recommendations. Curr Oncol 2015; 22:49-59. 2.Delluc A and Carrier M. Venous thromboembolism in cancer patients: a call for more awareness. Curr Oncol 2014;21(4):163-4.

If you have cancer, you are at increased risk for developing VTE When diagnosed with cancer, multiple factors can further increase your risk of developing a VTE, such as: The type of cancer The location and stage of your cancer The type of treatments you are receiving Surgeries that last more than one hour

Help your doctor or nurse check for signs of VTE Learning to recognize the following key signs and symptoms of VTE can help your doctor or nurse make a timely diagnosis* *Additional tests may be needed to confirm a diagnosis of VTE

Help your doctor or nurse check for signs of VTE Remember these signs and symptoms when looking for a VTE*: *Additional tests may be needed to confirm a diagnosis of VTE

This initiative was made possible through an educational grant by Pfizer Canada Inc.