Renfrewshire residents are being urged to take notice of the symptoms of leukaemia, as new research published today shows that only one per cent of those surveyed in the region were 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 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 per cent making it one of the most deadly forms of cancer.
Early diagnosis could saves lives, yet the recent public survey by leukaemia charities Leukaemia UK and Leukaemia Care, found that over that nearly half (48 per cent) of respondents from Scotland could not recognise any amongst the four most widely reported symptoms of the disease, which kills 5,000 people a year in the UK, and which is often diagnosed too late.
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Fiona Hazell, Chief Executive of Leukaemia UK said, “It’s extremely worrying that less than one per cent of Brits are able to identify the most common symptoms of leukaemia, when 28 people are diagnosed each day in the UK.
“People underestimate their risk by thinking that leukaemia is a childhood disease. In reality, both incidence and mortality rates rise sharply after the age of 55. Raising awareness in this age group is critical in order to treat it early and effectively; and ultimately to improve survival rates overall.”
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, Leukaemia Care and Leukaemia UK have called on the expertise of ‘Henry’, a talented Macaw parrot, to try to make the symptoms of leukaemia memorable. The ad sees Henry using a range of objects to create a catchy and repetitive ‘Spot Leukaemia rap’ featuring the symptoms of 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
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