Denise's AML diagnosis in EastEnders shines a spotlight on the symptoms of leukaemia

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a type of blood cancer that affects the bone marrow, where blood cells are made.

The word "acute" means it develops quickly and usually requires treatment soon after diagnosis. AML occurs when immature white blood cells grow uncontrollably, preventing healthy blood cells from developing normally.

AML can affect people of any age, although it is more common in older adults.

Many people diagnosed with AML describe feeling shocked because the symptoms can appear suddenly or be mistaken for less serious conditions.

You can find out more in our information section about AML (click here)

Denise's diagnosis highlights the importance of Spot Leukaemia

One of the biggest challenges with leukaemia is that its symptoms are often difficult to recognise.

They can be vague, easy to dismiss and very similar to symptoms caused by everyday illnesses, stress or fatigue.

That's why Leukaemia Care launched the Spot Leukaemia campaign, which aims to increase awareness of the most common warning signs and encourage people to seek medical advice earlier.

Research conducted by Leukaemia Care found that more than half of people with leukaemia waited over a month before visiting their GP after first noticing symptoms. More than 1 in 10 were initially treated for another condition before receiving the correct diagnosis.

Even more concerning, fewer than 1 in 200 UK adults can identify the four most common symptoms of leukaemia.

Our message is simple: know the symptoms and ask for a blood test if something doesn't feel right.

Other symptoms of leukaemia

People with leukaemia may also experience:

• Night sweats
• Shortness of breath
• Pale skin
• Bone or joint pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Swollen lymph nodes

Not everyone experiences the same symptoms. Some people only notice one or two warning signs before diagnosis.

The symptoms of leukaemia can easily be mistaken for more common conditions.

Persistent fatigue may be blamed on work, caring responsibilities or poor sleep.

Repeated infections can feel like bad luck.

Bruising may be dismissed as accidental.

Because the symptoms often develop gradually, many people do not realise there could be an underlying cause.

This is one reason why awareness campaigns like Spot Leukaemia are so important. Recognising a pattern of symptoms can prompt someone to seek medical advice sooner.

In many cases, a simple blood test is the first step towards diagnosis.

A full blood count measures the number of different blood cells in your bloodstream. Abnormal results can indicate that further investigation is needed.

Many people diagnosed with leukaemia first discovered something was wrong after having routine blood tests.

If you are experiencing persistent fatigue, unusual bruising, bleeding or repeated infections, speak to your GP and discuss whether a blood test may be appropriate.

Early diagnosis can make a significant difference.

The earlier leukaemia is identified, the sooner treatment can begin and the more options may be available.

Unfortunately, around 1 in 3 leukaemia diagnoses in the UK happen through emergency presentation, such as attendance at A&E. This is higher than for many other cancers and is associated with poorer outcomes.

Raising awareness of symptoms helps more people seek help before they reach a crisis point.

That is why we continue to campaign for earlier diagnosis and better awareness of blood cancer symptoms.

Soap storylines have a unique ability to bring health conversations into homes across the country.

Millions of viewers watch EastEnders every week. When a much-loved character receives a diagnosis, audiences naturally want to understand what it means.

For some viewers, Denise's diagnosis may encourage them to recognise symptoms in themselves or a family member for the first time.

At Leukaemia Care, we regularly see increases in people seeking information after major media coverage about blood cancer. Greater awareness leads to more conversations, more symptom recognition and, ultimately, more people seeking medical advice.