Cancer can affect anyone.
It doesn’t care if you’re 2 or 102 - cancer doesn’t discriminate.
But no one expects an otherwise fit and healthy young person to have to be rushed into urgent care because of it. Not even the doctors expected it, because by the time my partner had been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in a critical stage, we had been told my multiple other doctors that there was simply nothing to worry about.
Your Blood Counts has one clear aim - for young people to be screened for blood cancer with the same care and diligence that older people get, so that no person ever has to be staring death in the eye to be able to access oncology services. Your Blood Counts wants to help young people access regular blood testing when presenting with cancer symptoms, and for an increased awareness of cancer symptoms in young people to be presented to doctors and nurses nationwide.
It’s never too late for change within the NHS. It could have been too late for my partner.
Your Blood Counts.
Symptoms of Blood Cancer
Paleness, lack of energy, and breathlessness. This is caused by reduced red blood cells.
Unexplained bruising, or bleeding more easily (from the gums, or having very heavy periods, for example). This is caused by reduced platelets.
Frequent infections. This is caused by reduced healthy white blood cells.
Frequent night sweats, or a fever.
Painful joints.
Swollen lymph nodes.
Feeling generally unwell.
Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss.
Blood cancer symptoms can be difficult to identify, as they can often be attributed to other diseases or conditions. They can also present differently in young people. Some warning signs to look out for include:
These symptoms can have many different causes, but they should not be ignored. If you're experiencing any of them, make an appointment with your GP. If you're concerned about leukaemia or another blood cancer, share your concerns and ask whether a full blood count would be appropriate based on your symptoms.
Your GP may explain that, based on your symptoms, medical history and examination, a blood test is not needed and discuss what they believe is causing your symptoms instead. However, if you feel your concerns have not been fully addressed or your symptoms persist, worsen or don't fit the explanation you've been given, you can ask your GP to explain their clinical reasoning. You are also entitled to seek a second opinion or ask to see another doctor.
Being young doesn't always mean you'll feel seriously ill straight away. Many young people continue going to work or school, and continue to see friends, even while their symptoms are getting worse. You may be able to get through the day, but then feel too exhausted to do anything afterwards. Over time, this can become your "normal", making it easy to overlook how much your health has changed. Unfortunately, this can delay diagnosis until the illness reaches a more advanced stage and you become seriously unwell very quickly.
Data and Statistics
The symptoms of blood cancer can be misleading. Many blood cancer symptoms do overlap with other potential diagnoses, and signs such as unexplained bruising, fatigue, or frequent infections are not considered urgent.
This is especially prevalent in young people, where their symptoms may appear more ‘mild’, as their otherwise healthy bodies are able to cope with the cancer cells that are growing inside them. Blood cancers can be particularly difficult to diagnose, due to ‘non-specific heterogeneous symptoms, and this is reflected in how those symptoms are interpreted by patients and managed by HCPs.’ (1) This essentially means that blood cancer symptoms are often attributed to other diseases or conditions, before the possibility of blood cancer is considered.
Doctors are reluctant to diagnose cancer in young people, and will often attribute symptoms to other, more common ailments. (2)
In England and Northern Ireland, nearly 30% of people with blood cancer are diagnosed through presenting to hospital as an emergency. (3) This shows that earlier intervention is absolutely necessary, which would improve the quality of care and lead to less complications down the line.
The knowledge of blood cancer symptoms in the UK is critically low, and could be leading to delayed diagnosis.
A study that utilised the Blood Cancer Awareness Measure found that nearly 70% of people are unaware that night sweats are a symptom of the disease. (4)
Research from Blood Cancer UK found that less than 50% of adults could name a single blood cancer symptom. (5)
With increased awareness of the disease, diagnosis could become easier. If an individual could identify their symptoms, and ask for a blood test from their GP, earlier intervention may be possible.
Blood tests only cost the NHS £2.65 for a full blood count. Of course, this figure ramps up exponentially as the frequency of blood tests rise - but if awareness of blood cancer symptoms were to be increased, and blood tests were more accessible for people with these symptoms, the NHS would save money from less emergency services being used at the time of diagnosis. More importantly, the individual will have less complications, and an easier time trusting the doctors that are treating them.