<div><p>NEW YORK (Reuters) - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is battling a rare form of blood cancer but his long-term prognosis is very good, the NBA Hall of Famer was quoted as saying on Tuesday.</p><p>The 62-year-old Abdul-Jabbar told the Los Angeles Times he had chronic myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. He said the disease was diagnosed in December.</p><p>"The word 'leukemia' is a very frightening word," he said. "In many instances it's a killer and it's something that you have to deal with in a very serious and determined way if you're going to beat it."</p><p>The NBA's all-time leading scorer said he was being treated with a medicine that specifically targets the abnormal protein that causes leukemia.</p><p>"I responded well to the treatment," he said. "I just want that to continue to keep happening."</p><p>Jabbar, who played for the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, was a six times NBA champion and most valuable player. He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer with 38,387 points.</p><p>(Writing by Steve Ginsburg in Washington; Editing by Ken Ferris)</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=63056179&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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