Blood Cancer Awareness Month

Throughout Blood Cancer Awareness Month in September and beyond, we are raising awareness of leukaemia to drive progress in early detection and diagnosis – a vital tool to improve survival rates.

Leukaemia doesn’t discriminate. It affects people of all ages and 28 people receive a leukaemia diagnosis every day in the UK – that’s over 10,000 every year.

Overall survival for leukaemia stands at just over 50%, but we’re determined to stop leukaemia devastating lives.

Improving awareness and early diagnosis

Currently, 37% of all leukaemia cases are diagnosed in an emergency setting, and an even higher 66% of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cases are diagnosed in this way. By this stage patients are sometimes too unwell for the necessary treatments that are known to have harsh side effects. What if we could change this?

Collaboration is key

By improving awareness of the signs and symptoms of leukaemia, we can improve early diagnosis and help people to receive the treatment and care they need as soon as possible. That’s why we are working with our colleagues at other blood cancer charities to do more to raise awareness of leukaemia. This includes collaborative campaigns like #Spot Leukaemia, support for government initiatives to raise awareness, as well as exploring what the best avenues can be to improve early diagnosis.

Could you spot the signs and symptoms of leukaemia?

As part of #SpotLeukaemia, our joint campaign with Leukaemia Care, we’ve called on our friend, ‘Henry’, a very talented Macaw parrot. Henry has voiced the symptoms of leukaemia to make sure that you remember them!

Play Video

If in doubt, ask for a blood test

Because the symptoms can be linked to other health issues, diagnosing leukaemia is often difficult without a blood test. If you are concerned about potential symptoms, it’s best to speak to your GP and request a blood test as early as possible.

The signs and symptoms of leukaemia include: