Blood Cancer Awareness Month 2025

Blood cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, and more critically, the third biggest cancer killer, as many types are incurable.

September marks Blood Cancer Awareness Month 2025, an annual opportunity to raise awareness about blood cancers and help support the charities in the work they do to support families and patients of blood cancer. As many as 78% of people with blood cancer describe blood cancer as a ‘hidden cancer’; therefore, their 2025 campaign is #SayBlood Cancer to urge us all to discuss and raise the profile of the disease.

What is blood cancer?

Blood cancers affect the production and function of blood cells. Unlike other cancers, they typically originate in the bone marrow or lymphatic system, which are responsible for the body’s immune response. If you have a blood cancer, it means certain blood cells do not develop properly, reproduce too much, or both.

The three main types are:

• Leukaemia – causes the white blood cells and bone marrow cells to divide too quickly without developing properly, meaning your immune system and ability to fight infection is weakened.
• Lymphoma – impacts the lymphatic system, which is an important part of your immune system that produces and transports white blood cells around your body and removes waste products from your blood. This includes Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
• Multiple Myeloma – targets a type of white blood cell known as plasma and causes them to develop and reproduce too quickly, meaning the antibodies they produce do not function correctly to fight infections.

The term “blood cancer” also encompasses other conditions like myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), with there being over 100 specific types in total.

Symptoms:

Blood cancer symptoms can be subtle and often resemble those of other common illnesses. Symptoms vary depending on the specific type of blood and its progression; however, common symptoms can include:

• Persistent fatigue or weakness
• Frequent or unexplained infections
• Fever, chills, or night sweats
• Unexplained weight loss
• Swollen lymph nodes, especially in the neck, armpits, or groin
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Bone or joint pain
• Shortness of breath
• Pale complexion

If you are concerned for yourself or a family member or friend in relation to any of these symptoms, please contact your GP so that it can be investigated as soon as possible.

Diagnosis of Blood Cancer

Roughly every 13 minutes, someone in the UK gets diagnosed with a type of blood cancer, yet 31% of people with blood cancer have to visit their GP three or more times before being diagnosed.

Diagnosing blood cancer can involve the following steps:

• Medical History & Physical Exam: A doctor will review any symptoms and check for physical signs such as swollen lymph nodes or an enlarged spleen.
• Blood Tests: Full blood count tests can indicate abnormal levels or appearances of certain blood cells.
• Bone Marrow Biopsy: A sample from the bone marrow helps confirm the presence and type of blood cancer.
• Imaging Tests: scans like X-rays, CT, PET, or MRI may be used to detect internal organ or lymph node involvement.
• Genetic and Molecular Testing: tests to help identify specific mutations and guide treatment decisions.

Awareness leads to earlier diagnosis, which is critical for improving treatment outcomes and quality of life, as well as increased funding for research and treatment and greater support for patients and caregivers. This is increasingly important, as 58% of people with blood cancer are not aware of any of the additional support available to them when diagnosed.

For any more information about blood cancer, the symptoms, treatments and support that is available for patients and families, please go to the following websites:

Blood Cancer UK
Cancer Research UK – Blood Cancer
Anthony Nolan

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