Cancer survivors are uniting to share their stories of being diagnosed in a bid to raise awareness of a condition that affects more than 33,000 individuals in the UK.
Myeloma, also known as multiple myeloma, is an incurable blood cancer arising from plasma cells that affects the bone marrow.
Two myeloma survivors have teamed up with the NHS to raise awareness of the cancer and hope their stories will encourage people to get their symptoms checked.
“I was shocked when I was told I had cancer”
Retired teacher, Elizabeth Askins from Middlesbrough, was in constant battle with persistent back pain after suffering from a fall in 2015.
Medical tests revealed that the 68-year-old’s agonising back pain was due to three fractured vertebrae in her body and she was admitted to The James Cook University Hospital for back surgery, the same year.
However, during a blood check-up on the day of her surgery, Elizabeth was informed there was a presence of anaemia in her blood, which means the blood has a lower number of red cells than normal.
Upon further investigation, she was devastated to learn that she had myeloma and had to pause her surgery due to the diagnosis.
She said: “I was shocked when I was told I had multiple myeloma as I did not know what it was at all. I was informed it was an incurable blood cancer. I thought my life expectancy was extremely limited.”
However, after speaking to the medical team at James Cook, Elizabeth was given hope. They told her about the treatment options available for myeloma including a structured care plan to prolong life expectancy.
“I am grateful to Dr Dang and the haematology team who have been amazing. The back surgery went ahead two weeks after my diagnosis, and I had six months of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant at the Freeman Hospital in June 2016,” she added.
The diagnosis has made a huge impact on Elizabeth’s life. Her mobility is now severely restricted and she was forced to leave work due to bone pain and undergoing chemotherapy treatment and a stem cell transplant.
As myeloma is a hidden cancer, she said people often tell her she looks quite healthy – which is not an indication of her actual condition.
Elizabeth, who is marking ten years since being diagnosed, added: “There have been occasions when I have suffered from infections because of my weakened immune system but the team has always reacted quickly, helping me to recover well.
“To anyone reading this, I would strongly urge you to get your symptoms checked. Early diagnosis will always help you get better outcomes.
“For those who have been diagnosed, I know it is difficult but there are treatments for multiple myeloma, there is ongoing research and new treatments are always being developed.
“Although I am anxious about coming out of remission, I am pleased about the treatments I have had and despite the problems, I feel grateful to have been able to attend some special family events and to be here to meet my grandchildren.”
“I had never heard of Myeloma but all I remembered was cancer”
David Mitchell, 65, never expected he would be facing a condition that affects 6,200 people in the UK every year.
In 2023, he was suffering from regular chest infections which he attributed to his age.
After a night of suddenly waking up feeling unwell and sweating profusely, David was advised by NHS 111 to attend James Cook’s same day emergency care (SDEC) for a check-up.
He was initially diagnosed with a chest infection and anaemia and was sent home the same day. However, a phone call the next day changed his life when he was asked to return to the hospital for further tests.
David said: “Within 20 minutes of my arrival, I was told I had myeloma and I needed more tests.
“At first it didn’t sink in as I had never heard of myeloma but all I remember hearing was the word cancer – it was like a ton of bricks hitting me and my wife and I were in tears.
“When we returned from the hospital, we knew our lives were about to change and as the days passed by, I was getting deeper and deeper into depression.”
As a result, David was referred to a psychologist and has been making great progress ever since, both physically and mentally.
He has been attending the haematology day clinic in James Cook for the past two years and is grateful for the care he receives in the unit.
With a renewed positive outlook towards life, David added: “The main change to my life is having to retire because I was too unwell to continue.
My advice to anyone starting this journey would be to stay positive and not get too down with the word ‘cancer’. Talk to people, make sure you have all your family around you and always remember that there's always help there when you need it.”
Advanced clinical practitioner in myeloma Donna Wiseman said: “It is really inspiring to see David and Elizabeth join us in our mission in raising awareness about myeloma.
“As a team, we see first-hand how complex myeloma can be and our aim is to guide patients every step of the way, offering both clinical and compassionate care.”