KNOW THE SIGNS
Simon Thomas missed cancer signs in late wife – the leukaemia symptoms he wants everyone to know
SIMON Thomas is urging the public to learn the symptoms of blood cancer - after he missed the warning signs in his late wife.
The former Blue Peter presenter, 46, said he dismissed a bruise on Gemma's thigh, thinking it was "nothing serious".
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Just days later she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia in November 2017.
Now, the dad-of-one told This Morning he wants to help other families avoid the heartbreaking ordeal him and his ten-year-old son Ethan have had to face.
He said: "It's now so obvious when I look back at what was happening.
"Just days before Gemma falls seriously ill and then gets taken in hospital and diagnosed there's this big bruise on her thigh and I remember saying to her 'where's that from?'.
"And it came from a fall three weeks before when she'd broken her foot but the bruise hadn't gone.
"That is one of the tell-tale signs that something could be wrong."
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Simon was speaking on This Morning alongside Holly Willoughby, Phillip Schofield and Dr Zoe Williams to raise awareness for the signs of leukaemia for blood cancer awareness month.
His wife Gemma died at the age of 40 just three days after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia.
And he shared a list of symptoms of the disease he wants everyone to know, including unexplained fatigue, weight loss and headaches that don't go away.
The TV star added: "Sadly people don't know the symptoms and that's what we're trying to change because when you look at the stats when it comes to blood cancer, they're frightening.
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"It's the third biggest killer when it comes to cancer - it kills more than prostate cancer and breast cancer.
"At the moment only one in ten UK adults are confident in naming a single blood cancer symptom and that has to change.
"Maybe it's unexplained fatigue, weight loss, bruises that don't go, rashes, headaches that keep occurring and don't go away - more often or not it won't be anything serious but if you can't explain them - if you can't explain that breathlessness, if you can't explain that lump you found that you just don't know why it's there, please go to the doctor.
What is acute myeloid leukaemia and what are the symptoms?
Leukaemia is a type of blood cancer which effects cells in bone marrow and attacks the immune system.
The disease is often classified as what type of cell is affected (myeloid or lymphatic) and how it progresses (acute or chronic).
Acute leukaemia is when it is progressing aggressively and requires immediate attention.
The risk of developing acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) increases with age, with the cancer being most common in adults over 65.
Typically the symptoms of AML can become increasingly more severe over time.
According to the , the signs to look out for include:
- pale skin
- tiredness
- breathlessness
- frequent infections
- unusual and frequent bleeding, such as bleeding gums or nosebleeds
The outlook for sufferers can vary depending on the type you have, and your age and health.
Several medical tests have suggested that almost half of those aged under 60 diagnosed with AML will live for at least five years, according to the NHS website.
In some types of AML, such as acute promyeloid leukaemia, around 85 per cent will live for at least five years.
Typically the outlook for children is better than adults.
"Because on that morning I said where's that bruise from - it's from three weeks ago, now I know that's a massive alarm bell when it comes to getting it checked.
"It more often than not won't be something serious but if it is early diagnosis is crucial."
Dr Zoe also emphasised some of the key symptoms including night sweats and rashes.
She added:"Different symptoms can be quite vague, similar to those of anaemia and other conditions.
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"Fevers, night sweats, rashes, weight loss, bruising easily etc.
"If you’ve got a good collection of symptoms and can’t explain why they aren't going away, you should go to your GP."
Simon is now president for the charity and has set up the Gemma Thomas Fund.
He is currently taking on 30 challenges in 30 days to help raise money in memory of his late wife.
And he even donated blood live on This Morning yesterday - after admitting he was "a little bit nervous."
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More on leukaemia
Afterwards though, Simon admitted: "I’ve barely felt a thing and I feel fine and when you understand what giving blood does... it is so worth it.
"I'm going to get on board and do this more regularly."
Simon has set up a after forming the Gemma Thomas Fund alongside Bloodwise.
Speaking about his plans with any funds, Simon revealed: "It will invest money into research on blood cancers such as AML to prevent other families suffering such devastating loss."
BBC presenter Simon Thomas reveals he's got a new girlfriend one year after wife Gemma's death from cancer left him as a single dad to son Ethan
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