People in the West Midlands are being urged to take notice of the symptoms of leukaemia, as new research published today shows that of those who responded to the survey in this region, no one was able to identify ALL four of most widely reported symptoms – fatigue, bruising, unusual bleeding and repeated infections.
Leukaemia is a form of blood cancer that affects people of all ages and 27 people receive a leukaemia diagnosis every day in the UK – that’s just under 10,000 every year. Overall survival for leukaemia stands at just over 50% – making it one of the most deadly forms of cancer.
Early diagnosis could saves lives, yet the recent public survey by leukaemia charities Leukaemia Care and Leukaemia UK, found that 55% of respondents from the West Midlands could not recognise ANY amongst the four most widely reported symptoms of the disease, which kills nearly 5,000 people a year in the UK, and which is often diagnosed too late.
The two charities are collaborating on an important campaign, #SpotLeukaemia, to raise awareness of the symptoms ahead of Blood Cancer Awareness Month in September. Blood cancer is the fifth most common cancer and third deadliest.
In a new film released today Leukaemia Care and Leukaemia UK have called on 5-year-old children to try to make the symptoms of leukaemia memorable. The advert sees youngsters asking a range of questions to encourage people to ask ‘why’ am I feeling this way – channel your inner 5-year-old and question your symptoms which could be leukaemia.
People who are concerned about any of these symptoms – fatigue, bruising, unusual bleeding and repeated infections – are being strongly urged by the charities to contact their GP and request a blood test. More information is available on the Spot Leukaemia website at www.spotleukaemia.org.uk.
The advert focuses on the four most widely reported symptoms. Other symptoms of leukaemia include fever or night sweats, bone or joint pain and swollen lymph nodes.
The charities are now calling on people to start ‘asking why’ about leukaemia and its symptoms, share the video with friends and family, and visit the Spot Leukaemia website for more help and advice.
Awareness of the symptoms of leukaemia is low in the West Midlands
Only 10% of respondents across the West Midlands recognised infections as one of the most common symptoms of leukaemia, only 18% said unusual bruising is a most common symptom and just 7% said unusual bleeding is a most common symptom. Only 27% of respondents from the West Midlands were able to recognise fatigue as a most common symptom – which is often the most likely symptom to be identified by those later diagnosed with leukaemia.
Case study: – Kerry Sykes
At the age of 42, Kerry had never been unwell before and only in hospital to give birth to her three children, however all that changed in June 2020 when unusual bruising started to appear. Initially Kerry didn’t think twice about them – life was busy and there was a pandemic. The bruises appeared initially on her stomach, arms and legs and on reflection was the first sign of a problem. However, it was uncontrollable menstrual bleeding that prompted Kerry to act. A move which quite literally saved her life.
Kerry’s GP arranged for a blood test the day after she made contact, but that night unstoppable bleeding led to a call to 111 and due to the amount of bleeding an ambulance was sent. Kerry explains being seen in A&E that night didn’t seem right as she didn’t feel ill. She was assessed and a blood test done, followed by a bone marrow biopsy and by the afternoon a haematologist informed Kerry she had leukaemia – around 12 hours after admission.
It was suspected that Kerry had acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) – a very treatable kind with advances in treatments. This was confirmed the following day with biopsy results. The outlook was good with two kinds of medication as she was low risk.
Kerry spent four weeks in hospital undergoing treatment. She responded very well, which meant she could finish treatment as an outpatient. She did develop differentiation syndrome – a common side effect to the prescribed steroids – along with fatigue – but overall coped well.
It was only eight weeks after her diagnosis that Kerry received the news she was in remission. This meant she was moved to consolidation treatment. After five months she’d been able to begin a phased return to work, something which also helped Kerry cope and was supported by specialists.
Kerry finished her treatments seven months later and just a year after her diagnosis, she received a second negative result from a bone marrow biopsy and remained in remission.
Kerry’s symptoms of leukaemia were unusual bruising and uncontrollable bleeding
Are you currently experiencing similar symptoms to Kerry? Request a blood test from your GP.
The most common symptoms of leukaemia are fatigue, bleeding and bruising, repeated infections, fever or night sweats, bone or joint pain and shortness of breath. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your GP and ask for a blood test. To find out more visit the Spot Leukaemia page.
Awareness amongst different age groups
Nationally of those surveyed, 16% of those over the age of 55 believed leukaemia is a childhood disease (most common in ages 0-15 years), the figure is the same in the West Midlands. Whereas in reality cases rise sharply after the age of 55 and 38% of all new cases occur in the over 75s.
Zack Pemberton-Whiteley, Chief Executive of Leukaemia Care, said, “To hear that less than half a percent of those surveyed in the UK are able to identify the four most common symptoms of leukaemia is extremely worrying. Early diagnosis of leukaemia can improve survival. With just under 10,000 people being diagnosed every year with leukaemia, this shows just how important it is to continue to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms and how much work needs to be done.
“We know that our new Spot Leukaemia video may make some people laugh but in order to raise awareness of this serious subject we needed to channel our inner five-year-old and ask ‘why’. It’s crucial that if you think you have fatigue, bruising or bleeding or repeated infections you contact your GP and ask for a blood test. It’s that straightforward and we will keep pushing people to ask why and get what could be a crucial diagnosis.
Fiona Hazell, Chief Executive of Leukaemia UK, said: “It’s concerning to learn that so few UK adults can correctly identify the four most common symptoms of leukaemia, or even any symptoms at all. Each day in the UK 27 people are diagnosed with leukaemia, and despite decades of progress, only half of leukaemia patients will live longer than five years after diagnosis. Spotting the signs of leukaemia and asking for that all-important blood test can make a meaningful difference in treating this disease.
“That’s why it’s even more concerning to learn that most people would not visit their GP if experiencing one or more of the four most common symptoms. We would encourage anyone who is concerned about leukaemia to make an appointment to request a blood test as soon as possible.”
When asked why they would not contact their GP if experiencing any unusual symptoms, 26% of UK adults who said they would not do this selected “don’t want to put additional pressure on the NHS” as their main reason, from a given list. Long waiting times were also listed as an off-putting factor, with 23% of UK adults who said they would not visit a medical professional, citing this as their main reason, from a given list, for not getting in touch.
Leukaemia is a form of blood cancer which affects people of all ages but is most common in the over 65s. Other symptoms of leukaemia can include fever or night sweats, bone or joint pain and swollen lymph nodes. For more information visit the Spot Leukaemia website at www.spotleukaemia.org.uk