At just 21, Amber Cunningham-Rogan began noticing bleeding gums, persistent fatigue, and a strange tingling in her hands and legs. Initially, she assumed these were minor dental issues or the typical stresses of university life. However, these early signs were symptoms of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), a rare blood cancer that claims 224 lives annually in the UK as reported by The Sun. Often considered a disease of older adults, CML develops slowly and silently, making early detection challenging. Amber’s journey highlights how subtle symptoms can signal serious illness, emphasizing the importance of listening to your body, seeking thorough medical testing, and pursuing early diagnosis. Awareness and timely intervention can make the difference between life and death for those affected.
Amber diagnosed with life-threatening CML after early symptoms were missed
Source: The Sun
Amber’s first signs of illness were subtle but telling. She experienced:
- Bleeding gums that wouldn’t heal despite dental care
- Persistent fatigue that interfered with studies and daily life
- Frequent infections, catching colds or flu more often than peers
- Tingling and numbness in hands and legs, initially unexplained
- Bone and joint pain, which seemed minor at first
For several years, her GP visits and routine scans returned normal results, making it easy to dismiss these symptoms. Yet, these are classic early warning signs of leukaemia, often overlooked because they mimic everyday ailments.
Amber’s early warning signs misunderstood which lead to fatal CML
Source: The Sun
Initially, Amber was referred to haematology at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee for suspected haemochromatosis, a hereditary iron overload condition. During testing, her white blood cell count was slightly elevated, prompting a bone marrow biopsy. The results revealed chronic myeloid leukaemia, a diagnosis that required immediate treatment despite her young age.“Everyone assumed my age and good health meant it couldn’t be cancer. I’m grateful my consultant pushed for further testing,” Amber recalls.This highlights the importance of persistence and medical advocacy—listening to your body and asking for detailed testing can save lives.
Amber’s CML treatment and side effects
As reported by The Sun, Amber began daily oral targeted therapy, a modern treatment that attacks cancer cells directly. While effective, it brought severe side effects, including:
- Bone pain and migraines
- Skin rashes and hair loss
- Extreme fatigue and nausea
- Anaemia and occasional heart palpitations
Despite the hardships, Amber persevered and graduated with first-class honours, demonstrating determination and resilience. After six months, she achieved a deep molecular response, meaning her cancer was undetectable at certain levels.“CML is chronic, so I still live with fatigue, bone pain, and other side effects, but there is hope,” she says.
Amber’s journey with CML: Coping, support, and advocacy
Living with CML forced Amber to adjust her lifestyle. She had to give up physically demanding hobbies like netball and gym workouts, and even part-time work became challenging due to exhaustion. Social life was impacted as well, with events like theatre visits triggering intense nausea or fatigue.Support systems became vital. Amber found relief and guidance through:
- Residential programs such as Flynne’s Barn and the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust
- Online communities, particularly the CML UK & Worldwide Facebook group
- Patient information resources from Leukaemia Care, which helped her manage side effects
Her advocacy work includes raising over £2,000 for cancer charities and educating others on recognising early leukaemia symptoms.
Understanding Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML) and symptoms
Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a type of blood cancer that develops slowly in the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. Unlike many cancers, CML is defined by phases rather than stages:
- Chronic Phase – The disease develops slowly; many patients show few or mild symptoms. Early detection is most likely during this phase.
- Accelerated Phase – Symptoms worsen, including fatigue, weight loss, and abdominal swelling due to an enlarged spleen.
- Blast Phase – CML transforms into acute leukaemia, often acute myeloid leukaemia, with severe symptoms and urgent medical intervention required.
Early intervention during the chronic phase dramatically improves outcomes, with approximately 80% of patients living five years or more following diagnosis.Key symptoms of leukaemia (CML)Only 0.4% of people can correctly identify the most common leukaemia symptoms, which include:
- Extreme tiredness that does not improve with rest
- Unexplained bruising or bleeding, including bleeding gums
- Frequent infections
- Bone or joint pain
- Fever, night sweats, pale skin, swollen lymph nodes, feeling full quickly, and shortness of breath
Early recognition and a full blood count test are critical, as early-stage diagnosis significantly increases treatment success.Also Read | Hara Hachi Bu: Japanese technique shows how stopping at 80% full can help you eat mindfully and stay lean, reveals fitness coach