Many of us know someone who has been affected by cancer.
After all, it’s said that one in two people will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in their lives. While this may be unsettling for some, there are steps we can take to increase our awareness of the illness.
One such step is being aware of symptoms. A woman named Alli McLaren confessed that she knew something was wrong with her health before her diagnosis.
In a frank TikTok video, she revealed she had five common symptoms that her previous doctor “ignored” when she voiced her concerns. According to her, he didn’t seem to think anything was wrong.
Prior to her blood cancer diagnosis, Alli admitted to experiencing “extreme fatigue” to the point where she struggled to get out of bed in the mornings. She also noticed changes in her vision and found it difficult to concentrate at times.
Following surgeries, she experienced “excessive bleeding”, and bruises would appear on her body. Additionally, small red rashes or dots would appear on her skin and she’d experience bone pain – specifically in her feet and hands.
The video has been viewed hundreds of times since it was posted, and viewers were quick to comment. They expressed gratitude for her using her platform to highlight these symptoms.
One person shared: “I’m sorry. My doctor ignored extreme fatigue, pressure in the neck, high wbc count, and I recently got diagnosed with metastatic thyroid cancer. They didn’t even find it. It was found my mistake.”
Another asked: “What did your blood levels look like, if you don’t mind me asking? I was just seen today and waiting on more lab results.”
A third person also responded: “This is so terrifying. I haven’t even graduated med school yet, and everything you’re saying is setting off alarm bells and red flags in my head. I’m so sorry they didn’t listen to you.”
Things to know about blood cancer
Blood cancer affects the blood, bone marrow or lymphatic system, often due to abnormal cell development. Common types include leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.
Symptoms may include fatigue, weight loss, frequent infections, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, night sweats, bone pain and pale skin.
Additionally, be aware of skin rashes, which can be a sign of leukemia or lymphoma, appearing as small red spots or purple blotches and itchy skin. Symptoms can vary on different skin tones, such as bruises starting as red patches, that darken over time and may feel tender.
Meanwhile, rashes often appear as clusters of small spots (petechiae) or larger blotches (purpura). These don’t fade when pressed.
However, having any of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have blood cancer. If you notice any changes in your body, or have any health concerns, it’s always best to consult with your GP.