Overview
- Ann Wraith, 48, from Glasgow asked her GP for blood tests after months of exhaustion, night sweats, broken sleep and leg pain and was diagnosed with myeloma in January.
- Her treatment included a stem cell transplant and a three-week hospital stay in which her young daughter was not allowed to visit the ward.
- Myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells in bone marrow that is treatable but not curable and often presents with non-specific symptoms that can be misattributed to a cold, stress or menopause.
- Beatson Cancer Charity provided Ann with practical and emotional support during treatment and is urging better public and GP awareness of persistent or unusual symptoms.
- Ann urges people to get checked if symptoms feel abnormal because earlier diagnosis can widen treatment options and reduce the physical and psychological burden on patients and families.