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New tool pinpoints gaps in awareness of blood cancer symptoms

A new tool to identify gaps in public knowledge about symptoms of blood cancer could help to shape future awareness campaigns, potentially saving countless lives. Blood cancer (including leukaemia, lymphoma, and myeloma) is the third leading cause of cancer death in the UK, but symptoms are often vague and non-specific.

Published:
Photo of Blood Cancer Awareness Measure

The new Cancer Awareness Measure for Blood Cancer (Blood CAM) is a validated online survey. In a nationally representative sample of 434 people, researchers from QMUL and the University of Surrey found that:

  • 7% of people surveyed could not identify any blood cancer symptoms
  • nearly 70% of people were not aware that night sweats are a symptom
  • 56% did not recognise rashes/itchy skin as an indicator of the disease
  • The most recognised symptoms were unexplained weight loss (70%) and unexplained bleeding (65%)
  • Men had lower knowledge of blood cancer symptoms than women, who were twice as likely to recognise bruising as a sign of the disease.
  • The average number of potential blood cancer symptoms reported was two, with 52% experiencing at least one symptom.

Study PI, Dr Georgia Black of the Wolfson Institute of Population Health, said:

‘This groundbreaking survey on blood cancer awareness uncovers important insights into the barriers patients face in seeking healthcare, including emotional concerns, practical challenges, and issues with healthcare services. We introduced new survey questions around concepts of re-consultation and patient enablement, which shed light on the importance of seeking follow-up care and feeling empowered to understand symptoms. Our findings suggest avenues for equitable interventions and public messaging to improve outcomes for people with blood cancer.’ 

The study was funded by Blood Cancer UK.

 

Boswell L, Harris J, Ip A, Russell J, Black GB, Whitaker KL. Assessing awareness of blood cancer symptoms and barriers to symptomatic presentation: measure development and results from a population survey in the UK. BMC Cancer. 2023 Jul 6;23(1):633. doi: 10.1186/s12885-023-11149-x. PMID: 37415106.

 

 

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