Woman's early cancer symptoms blamed on menopause

A Kent woman diagnosed with blood cancer said symptoms she experienced for years were initially put down to age and menopause.

Sarah Chapman, from Maidstone, started to feel unusually tired in 2011, but it was not until 2013 that doctors diagnosed her with a condition that later developed into leukaemia.

The retired audiologist and hockey umpire has shared her story in support of Blood Cancer Awareness Month and charity Leukaemia UK to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of the illness.

The charity said 28 people in the UK were diagnosed with leukaemia every day, but symptoms could vary and the disease could often be overlooked or misdiagnosed.

"I had been a regular blood donor, but my haemoglobin became consistently too low to be accepted," said Sarah, now 67.

"My diet was good, and taking iron supplements didn't make any difference.

"Then my endurance dropped, I got repeated illnesses and chest infections, and any wounds took a long time to heal. I also had night sweats and my skin was bad."

She added: "I was referred to many different specialists and told that it was probably due to my age as I was around menopause, but I knew what I was capable of, and how active I was, and I felt deep down something was wrong."

In 2013, after a new GP reviewed her blood results, Sarah was referred to Maidstone Hospital, where doctors diagnosed myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

"They diagnosed MDS and told me this would become leukaemia within the next three to five years," Sarah said.

Three years later she developed acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), an aggressive form of blood cancer.

Sarah underwent chemotherapy before receiving a stem cell transplant from her brother Colin in 2016.

She later returned to playing and umpiring hockey, 10 months after her transplant.

"Hockey has been a huge part of my life and a huge factor in who I am," she said.

"To have all this to return to, and to have done so much since my leukaemia, makes me so grateful."

Fiona Hazell, chief executive of Leukaemia UK, said: "Most of the signs and symptoms are not specific, so can often get mistaken for other illnesses or be explained away.

"Early diagnosis saves lives.

"That is why we encourage anyone with symptoms to make sure it's nothing serious by speaking to their GP and asking for a full blood count test."

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, X, and on Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Kent on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.