A LEUKAEMIA charity has raised the alarm after research shows people in the South East can’t recognise the signs of blood cancer.

The worrying findings were revealed ahead of Leukaemia Awareness Month in September, when campaigners hope to make more people aware of the deadly cancer affecting more than 10,000 new patients every year through ‘Spot Leukaemia’ campaign video featuring a talented Macaw parrot Henry.

None of the surveyed people in the South East were able to identify all the signs of leukaemia - bleeding, bruising, fatigue and repeated infections - a YouGov survey of around 2000 adults found. 

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Fiona Hazell, Chief Executive of Leukaemia UK said: “It’s extremely worrying that less than one percent of Brits are able to identify the most common symptoms of leukaemia, when 28 people are diagnosed each day in the UK.

“People underestimate their risk by thinking that leukaemia is a childhood disease. In reality, both incidence and mortality rates rise sharply after the age of 55. Raising awareness in this age group is critical in order to treat it early and effectively; and ultimately to improve survival rates overall.”

Overall survival rate for leukaemia patients stands at 50 percent, and early diagnosis could save lives, Leukaemia UK and Leukaemia Care said.

The cancer kills 5,000 people a year in the UK.

Only nine percent of respondents recognised that repeated infections – one of the most common leukaemia – are a symptom, while only 29 percent recognised unusual bruising as a symptom.

Unusual bleeding was recognised as a symptom by only 11 percent, while 47 percent of respondents were not able to recognise fatigue as a symptom, which is often the most likely symptom identified for people who are diagnosed with leukaemia later.

Following the concerning findings, the campaigners released a video featuring Henry the Macaw parrot and his catchy ‘Spot Leukaemia’ rap about the common leukaemia signs to inspire people to start “parroting on” about the cancer to spread the word.

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Zack Pemberton-Whiteley, Chief Executive of Leukaemia Care said, "To hear that less than one percent of the UK public are able to identify the four most common symptoms of leukaemia is extremely worrying.

"Early diagnosis of leukaemia can improve survival. With over 10,000 people being diagnosed every year with a leukaemia, this shows just how important it is to continue to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms and how much work needs to be done.

"We know that our new Spot Leukaemia video may ruffle some feathers but in order to raise awareness we needed to create something that will fly.

"It's crucial that if you think you have fatigue, bruising or bleeding or repeated infections that you contact your GP and ask for a blood test. It's as simple as that and we will continue to parrot-on about it."