People in Greater London 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.
New research launched today by Leukaemia Care and Leukaemia UK reveals that less than 1% (0.4%) of UK adults can accurately identify all four of the most common symptoms of leukaemia.1 Over half (58%) of respondents in the Greater London area failed to identify any of the 4 main symptoms of leukaemia.
Only 10% of respondents across Greater London correctly recognised infections as one of the most common symptoms of leukaemia
Only 14% identified bruising as a most common symptom
Only 11% identified unusual bleeding as a most common symptom
Only 26% of respondents 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.
The findings have been released as part of the charities’ #SpotLeukaemia campaign, launched this Blood Cancer Awareness Month to urgently tackle widespread lack of awareness of leukaemia signs and symptoms, which can mean people are often diagnosed late.
Late diagnosis impacts survival rates. Only half of leukaemia patients live longer than five years after their diagnosis, making it one of the deadliest forms of cancer.2 Despite early diagnosis being so critical in successfully treating leukaemia, the survey also found that fewer than 50% of UK adults actually would visit a medical professional if they were experiencing one of the four most common symptoms.3
Bromley resident, Sharon Sinclair, is urging people throughout Greater London to ‘know the symptoms and push for tests’, after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) aged 54 – after losing her Dad to the very same disease.
Sharon said: ‘I thought I knew the signs of blood cancer after losing my Dad to AML, but there are so many different symptoms and it’s far too easily overlooked. My poor Mum was beside herself when I was diagnosed. It broke my heart seeing the fear in her eyes.’
#SpotLeukaemia encourages the public to “channel their inner 5-year-old” by asking themselves the difficult questions that could help spot leukaemia. In a new film released for Blood Cancer Awareness Month, children are shown asking their grandparents awkward and embarrassing questions – such as, “Why is your belly squishy?” or, “Why do you have hair up your nose?”. The same children are shown then asking, “Why do you have bruises on your arm?” or, “Why are you always too tired to play?”.
The film then urges anyone experiencing unusual symptoms to “channel your inner 5-year-old and ask why”. If the viewer is experiencing fatigue, bruising, unusual bleeding or repeated infections, they are urged to contact their GP and request a blood test.
Zack Pemberton-Whiteley, Chief Executive of Leukaemia Care said: “The statistics from our recent survey show just how worryingly low awareness of leukaemia is and why our Spot Leukaemia campaign is so very important in changing people’s perceptions of this form of blood cancer. The survey found that just 0.4% of those who responded (2,002 people), could identify all four of the main symptoms of leukaemia – fatigue, unusual and unexplained bruising or bleeding, and repeated infections – a shockingly low number. This figure, that just 8 people from those answering could identify an illness where early diagnosis is crucial, tells us we still have a lot of work to do around the understanding of leukaemia to help increase survival rates going forward. If the public can learn more about the signs and symptoms, they may well save someone’s life.”
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 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 selected “don’t want to put additional pressure on the NHS” as their main reason. Long waiting times were also listed as an off-putting factor, with 23% of UK adults citing this as their main reason for not getting in touch.4
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.
