Blood Cancer Awareness Month – Breathlessness #ThinkMDS

• A Complete Blood Count (CBC) via your GP can easily determine if further investigation into MDS is needed. #OrderaBloodCount

A Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a very common blood test that is often part of a routine checkup. The test counts the cells that make up your blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets and the results can determine if further investigation into MDS is required. #OrderaBloodCount

Myelodysplasic syndromes (MDS) are a group of rare blood cancers where patients don't have enough healthy blood cells.  Symptoms vary from person to person and depend on which blood cells are low.  About 8 in 10 patients have anaemia, whilst about 2 in 10 present to their doctor with infections or bleeding.

• Anaemia is due to a lack of red cells (also referred to as a low haemoglobin), which may lead to fatigue and shortness of breath even on light exertion.
• Recurrent and persistent infections are another common symptom of MDS, due to low white cell counts.
• When your platelet count is low, you can suffer from easy bruising and bleeding. This can sometimes manifest itself as a rash on the skin. These are tiny bleedings under the skin called petechiae and often appear where clothes are tight fitted, like around the ankles or waist. Nose or gum bleeds can also be a sign of a low platelet count.
• Some MDS patients have no signs or symptoms, and are diagnosed by chance as a result of a routine blood test.

As a support group, we have seen hundreds of cases where diagnosis of MDS was delayed. Delays means impaired quality of life for most patients, frequent infections, and for some, a worse prognosis.

• A Complete Blood Count (CBC) via your GP can easily determine if further investigation into MDS is needed. #OrderaBloodCount

A Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a very common blood test that is often part of a routine checkup. The test counts the cells that make up your blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets and the results can determine if further investigation into MDS is required. #OrderaBloodCount

Myelodysplasic syndromes (MDS) are a group of rare blood cancers where patients don't have enough healthy blood cells.  Symptoms vary from person to person and depend on which blood cells are low.  About 8 in 10 patients have anaemia, whilst about 2 in 10 present to their doctor with infections or bleeding.

• Anaemia is due to a lack of red cells (also referred to as a low haemoglobin), which may lead to fatigue and shortness of breath even on light exertion.
• Recurrent and persistent infections are another common symptom of MDS, due to low white cell counts.
• When your platelet count is low, you can suffer from easy bruising and bleeding. This can sometimes manifest itself as a rash on the skin. These are tiny bleedings under the skin called petechiae and often appear where clothes are tight fitted, like around the ankles or waist. Nose or gum bleeds can also be a sign of a low platelet count.
• Some MDS patients have no signs or symptoms, and are diagnosed by chance as a result of a routine blood test.

As a support group, we have seen hundreds of cases where diagnosis of MDS was delayed. Delays means impaired quality of life for most patients, frequent infections, and for some, a worse prognosis.

• A Complete Blood Count (CBC) via your GP can easily determine if further investigation into MDS is needed. #OrderaBloodCount

A Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a very common blood test that is often part of a routine checkup. The test counts the cells that make up your blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets and the results can determine if further investigation into MDS is required. #OrderaBloodCount

Myelodysplasic syndromes (MDS) are a group of rare blood cancers where patients don't have enough healthy blood cells.  Symptoms vary from person to person and depend on which blood cells are low.  About 8 in 10 patients have anaemia, whilst about 2 in 10 present to their doctor with infections or bleeding.

• Anaemia is due to a lack of red cells (also referred to as a low haemoglobin), which may lead to fatigue and shortness of breath even on light exertion.
• Recurrent and persistent infections are another common symptom of MDS, due to low white cell counts.
• When your platelet count is low, you can suffer from easy bruising and bleeding. This can sometimes manifest itself as a rash on the skin. These are tiny bleedings under the skin called petechiae and often appear where clothes are tight fitted, like around the ankles or waist. Nose or gum bleeds can also be a sign of a low platelet count.
• Some MDS patients have no signs or symptoms, and are diagnosed by chance as a result of a routine blood test.

As a support group, we have seen hundreds of cases where diagnosis of MDS was delayed. Delays means impaired quality of life for most patients, frequent infections, and for some, a worse prognosis.

Michelle Kenyon co-authored two patient information books on stem cell transplantation.  The first book, 'Seven Steps',  is the most widely used stem cell transplant patient information booklet in the UK.

The second book, 'The Seven Steps: The Next Steps'. was produced in direct response to feedback Michelle received from her patients at King’s, who would often tell her that they needed more information about what to expect after a transplant.

To access a .pdf of  'The Seven Steps: The Next Steps' click the link below. https://www.anthonynolan.org/sites/default/files/2021-08/1981PA_Next7Steps2021_DIGITAL.pdf

The American Society of Haematology (ASH) have published some very interesting articles about various aspects of MDS and the potential effectiveness of a number of treatments (see the links below).

Cell Architecture Drives MDS and Progression

The hematopoietic cell architecture in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) may have the potential to predict disease progression and guide use of second-line treatment...Read more

ASXL1 Mutations May Predict Response After Venetoclax and HMA Therapy for MDS

The presence of ASXL1 mutations predicted a favourable response and survival after venetoclax and hypomethylating agent (HMA) therapy in patients with MDS with excess blasts (EB)...Read More

Magrolimab Plus Azacitidine Elicits Response in Untreated, Higher Risk MDS

Patients with higher risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) were treated with magrolimab plus azacitidine in a phase Ib study. Investigators noted a lower-than-expected rate of discontinuation due to adverse events (AEs)...Read more

If you are interested in any of these roles, please email our Operations Manager, Debbie at dhickman@mdspatientsupport.org.uk for further information.