The cancer charity warns it may look different on certain skin colors and tones

Do you have an unexplained bruise?(Image: Getty)

A cancer charity has urged individuals to monitor any unexplained bruising and to seek medical advice if they experience key symptoms that are often overlooked or mistaken for minor issues. According to Blood Cancer UK, “symptoms vary depending on the type of blood cancer whether it’s leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, MDS, MPN or any other blood cancer.”

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What are the signs and symptoms of blood cancer?

Some symptoms of blood cancer can look different on different skin tones. Blood cancer symptoms include:

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Drenching night sweats
Infections that are persistent, recurrent or severe
Fever (100.4F/38C or above) that is unexplained
Rash or itchy skin that is unexplained
Pain in your bones, joints or abdomen (stomach area)
Tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest or sleep (fatigue)
Paleness (pallor)
Weight loss that is unexplained
Bruising or bleeding that is unexplained
Lumps or swellings
Shortness of breath (breathlessness)

The charity notes bruises often begin as red patches which change color and get darker over time. They explain: “They often feel tender.” When it comes to different skin color and tones, it may differ.

They warn: “On black and brown skin, bruises may be difficult to see initially, but as they develop, they show up as darker than the skin around them.”

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Unexplained weight loss is a sign(Image: Getty)

Unexplained bruising may be a result of a low platelet count — platelets are the cells that help blood to clot. According to Blood Cancer UK, bruising is caused by bleeding beneath the skin and typically follows an injury. However, when bruises appear without an obvious cause, it could indicate a low level of platelets.

In addition to this, what appears to be a rash might actually be something else entirely. Blood Cancer UK warns that “you may see small spots in the skin (petechiae) or larger discolored patches (purpura).

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“These look like a rash but are actually clusters of small bruises. On black and brown skin petechiae and purpura typically look purple or darker than the surrounding skin and on lighter skin they tend to show as red or purple.

“You may have bleeding from your nose or gums, prolonged bleeding from a cut, heavy periods, or blood in your urine or poo. In very rare cases, there may be a bleed into the brain, which can cause neurological symptoms.”

In a separate warning, they point out that pallor can be more easily spotted in lighter skin tones, while individuals with black or brown skin may appear greyish, with noticeably paler palms than usual. They add: “They might also notice pallor in their lips, gums, tongue or nail beds.

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“In all skin tones, pallor can be seen by pulling down the lower eyelid. The inside is normally dark pink or red, but if it’s pale pink or white, it’s a sign of pallor.”

What are the symptoms of acute blood cancer?

Do you have a fever?(Image: Getty)

Acute blood cancer symptoms are triggered by an extremely high white blood cell count. Certain types, like acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), can progress rapidly and cause a sudden and severe decline in health. This condition is referred to as leukostasis or blast crisis.

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Symptoms may include:

vomiting
loss of muscle control
seizures
breathing problems
neurological symptoms like visual changes
confusion

Do I really need a GP appointment or am I wasting their time?

If you are worried, always book an appointment. The charity urges: “If you have just one symptom that you can’t explain, book an appointment with your GP. If you suddenly feel very unwell at any time, get medical help straight away by calling 999 or going to A&E.”

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If you want to talk to someone, you contact the charity’s trained blood cancer Support Service here. They will listen to your concerns, explain what to expect from the NHS and talk you through your next steps.