Learn about the signs and symptoms of Lymphomas

​Today, Tonia Antoniazzi MP Gower is raising awareness for rare blood cancers as part of World Lymphoma Awareness Day (15th September), such as Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas also called skin lymphomas. These rare lymphomas are often overlooked, misunderstood or misdiagnosed as they only affect around seven people in every million in the UK[4].
 
It is crucial that on World Lymphoma Awareness Day we promote the better understanding of rare blood cancers because too often they can be misdiagnosed as milder, less life-threatening conditions. For instance, Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas are often misdiagnosed for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Due to their likeness to more common skin disorders, these rare lymphomas can take, on average, between 2 and 7 years for individuals to receive a confirmed diagnosis[5]. Only around half of CTCL patients (52%) with advanced disease survive beyond 5 years of diagnoses[6].
 
Tonia Antoniazzi MP said, “In my capacity as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cancer, I am proud to be an advocate for those people living with a blood cancer. We must continue to raise awareness for rare cancers like CTCL to improve the outcomes of people living with this condition in Gower and across the UK. I'm asking my constituents to learn about the signs and symptoms of Lymphomas and if you're worried about any potential symptoms, don't wait or take a risk. Get checked. ”

• World Lymphoma Awareness Day is held on 15th September every year and is a day dedicated to raising awareness of lymphoma, the UK's fifth most common cancer[1]. It is a global initiative hosted by the Lymphoma Coalition and organised by Lymphoma Action in the UK.
• Rare lymphomas such Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) also called skin lymphomas, are not well-known because only around seven people in every million are diagnosed with a skin lymphoma each year in the UK[2]. This means the diagnosis odyssey for people living with this condition can last up to 7 years[3].

[1] Lymphoma Action: Lymphoma Awareness. Available from https://lymphoma-action.org.uk/campaigning. Last accessed: September 2021.

[2] CL Foundation: A Patient’s Guide. Available from: https://www.clfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2018-04/a_patients_guide.pdf. Last Accessed: September 2021

[3] Ibid

[4] Ibid

[5] Ibid

[6] Krejsgaard T, Lindahl LM, Mongan NP, et al. Malignant inflammation in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma—a hostile takeover. Semin Immunopathol. 2017;39(3):269–282.