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Our highly trained specialists are available 24/7 via phone and on weekdays can assist through video calls and online chat. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with essential services and resources at every step of their cancer journey. Ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include:
For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor.
Anemia is a condition that develops if your body is not making enough red blood cells (RBCs). Red blood cells have a protein called hemoglobin (Hgb), which carries oxygen throughout your body. Cells in your body need oxygen to function and survive. Many people with cancer have anemia.
Low red blood cell counts (anemia) can be caused by cancer, cancer treatments, or something other than cancer. Some reasons people get anemia include:
You might not feel any effects of anemia until your hemoglobin level is very low. Some of the most common signs and symptoms are:
Anemia can range from mild to severe. Certain health problems such as heart or lung problems can make anemia symptoms worse. Ask your cancer care team if your cancer or cancer treatment causes anemia.
If you have signs or symptoms of anemia, your cancer care team will ask you to have a test called a complete blood count (CBC) to check your hemoglobin.
If you do have anemia, you might need other tests to try and find the cause. Some tests that might be done include:
Treatments for low red blood cells depend on the cause. The most common treatments are:
If chemotherapy, medicine, or other treatment is causing anemia, the doctor might lower the dose, switch to a different treatment, or stop the treatment altogether to give your body a chance to recover.
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
Drew RE. Causes of anemia in patients with cancer. UpToDate. UpToDate Inc; 2023. Updated November 2023. Accessed November 21, 2023. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/causes-of-anemia-in-patients-with-cancer?
Loprinzi CL & Patnaik MM. Role of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in the treatment of anemia in patients with cancer. UpToDate. UpToDate Inc; 2023. Updated September 2022. Accessed November 21, 2023. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/role-of-erythropoiesis-stimulating-agents-in-the-treatment-of-anemia-in-patients-with-cancer?
Means RT & Brodsky RA. Diagnostic approach to anemia in adults. UpToDate. UpToDate Inc; 2023. Updated September 2022. Accessed November 21, 2023. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/diagnostic-approach-to-anemia-in-adults?
National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). Hematopoietic growth factors. NCCN Guidelines. Version 1.2024. Updated October 2023. Accessed November 21, 2023. https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/growthfactors.pdf
Last Revised: April 15, 2024
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