Steve McCabe MP has joined campaigners and patients to spread awareness about the challenges dealt with by people living with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL).
Steve heard directly from patients currently living with the condition about the challenges they face, including the need for proper post-diagnosis support to help understand their condition and manage symptoms and treatment options. Steve also heard from campaigners about the need to improve access to treatment options, including innovative new drugs which improve survival and quality of life.
CLL is the most common type of leukaemia – a cancer of the white blood cells – in adults. It means that stem cells start overproducing white blood cells that are not fully developed – in CLL, these are called lymphocytes. Although many people with CLL won’t have symptoms for a long time, when they develop they can include an increased number of infections, increased tiredness and fatigue and bleeding and bruising more easily. It is estimated that around 2,700 – 3,200 people in the UK are diagnosed with CLL each year.
Steve McCabe MP said:
“It was good meet with patients living with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia and hear about the challenges they face on a daily basis. I think more needs to be done to spread awareness about post-diagnosis support to ensure that those living with the condition get the information and support they need and to improve access to innovative drugs.”
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