'Channel your inner five-year-old' to spot the signs of leukaemia

THIRD UNAWARE OF BLOOD CANCER SYMPTOMS

- Hanna Geissler

FAMILIES are being asked to "channel their inner five-year-old" and ask "why" if they notice unusual health symptoms... for they could be caused by leukaemia.

It comes after a survey found more than a third of people were clueless about the signs, with late diagnoses contributing to poor survival rates.

There are almost 10,000 new UK cases of the disease. a blood cancer that affects cells in the bone marrow - each year.

Only half of patients live longer than five years after their diagnosis, making it one of the most deadly types of cancer.

A poll of 2,000 people found just eight knew that the four most common symptoms of leukaemia were fatigue, bruising, repeat infections and unexplained bleeding.

Worryingly, some 37% could not identify a single symptom.

Less than half those surveyed by Censuswide said they would visit a GP if they had one of the four telltale signs.

A quarter said they did not want to add to pressure on the NHS, while the same number would be put off by long waiting times.

Crucial