Many individuals are unaware of the important thing indicators of leukaemia regardless of it being one in every of deadliest types of most cancers, a state of affairs main most cancers charities say is “extraordinarily worrying”.
A survey of 2134 adults co-commissioned by Leukaemia UK and Leukaemia Care revealed consciousness of the warning indicators was low and that, in London particularly, none of these surveyed have been in a position to determine all 4 of most generally reported signs: bleeding, bruising, fatigue and infections.
Leukaemia is a type of blood most cancers which kills 5,000 individuals a yr within the UK, and is usually recognized too late. General survival charges for leukaemia stand at simply over 50% however the earlier the analysis, the higher the result.
Solely 10% of survey respondents in London knew that repeated infections have been one of the vital widespread signs. There was additionally low consciousness of bizarre bruising (26%) and weird bleeding (10%) as signs, whereas 41% of respondents didn’t know to look out for fatigue – the most definitely symptom to be recognized by these later recognized with leukaemia.
Leukaemia UK and Leukaemia Care have now teamed up on a brand new marketing campaign, #SpotLeukaemia, to lift consciousness of those signs forward of Blood Most cancers Consciousness Month in September.
Of their joint marketing campaign movie, ‘Henry’, a gifted Macaw parrot, makes use of a variety of objects to create a catchy and repetitive rap that includes the signs. The advert focuses on the highest 4 signs of leukaemia, however different signs embody fever or night time sweats, bone or joint ache and swollen lymph nodes.
Fiona Hazell, chief govt of Leukaemia UK mentioned: “It’s extraordinarily worrying that lower than 1% of Brits are in a position to determine the most typical signs of leukaemia, when 28 persons are recognized every day within the UK.”
She added: ″Folks underestimate their danger by considering that leukaemia is a childhood illness. In actuality, each incidence and mortality charges rise sharply after the age of 55. Elevating consciousness on this age group is crucial with the intention to deal with it early and successfully; and finally to enhance survival charges total.”
Whereas leukaemia is the most typical kind of childhood most cancers, incidence charges rise sharply after the age of 55 and 38% of all new diagnoses happen in these over 75.
Nevertheless, the survey discovered that solely 2% of Brits assume that leukaemia is most typical in these over 75. with 43% of respondents considering that leukaemia is most typical within the below 24s.
The Spot Leukaemia marketing campaign significantly needs to extend consciousness amongst those that are over 65, as this age group is the most definitely to be recognized with leukaemia.
“With over 10,000 individuals being recognized yearly with a leukaemia, this reveals simply how essential it’s to proceed to lift consciousness of the indicators and signs and the way a lot work must be performed,” mentioned Zack Pemberton-Whiteley, chief govt of Leukaemia Care.
People who find themselves involved about any of those signs – fatigue, bruising, uncommon bleeding and repeated infections – are being strongly urged by the charities to contact their GP and request a blood check.
Extra info is obtainable at www.spotleukaemia.org.uk.
