Sickle Cell Awareness: Why Early Intervention is Important

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Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited disorders that affect hemoglobin, the major protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells. The disease affects more than 100,000 people in the U.S., including those who are non-Hispanic Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino and also affects people from the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia, and Arabs. Lukeman Tijani, M.D., is a hematologist oncologist with Texas Tech Physicians. He describes what sickle cell disease is and does to the organs; screenings, symptoms and treatment; why it's important for those with sickle cell disease to see a physician in the early stages of family planning and debunks myths about the disease.