MEMBERS of the Herefordshire Myeloma Support Group were in High Town on June 26 as part of Myeloma Support Week.

They were there to speak to members of the public to make them more aware of the signs and symptoms of myeloma, which include severe bone pain, bone fractures, fatigue, frequent infection and kidney failure.

Public awareness of myeloma is low: 97% of people in a recent survey didn't know what it was.

Each year in the UK, approximately 4,000 people are diagnosed with myeloma. The number of cases has more than doubled in the last 30 years and is an increasingly common cancer of the plasma cells. Plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and are responsible for protecting the body against infection.

Current treatments can be effective at halting myeloma for longer and improving quality of life, but at present there is no cure. A recent report from the Office of National Statistics has shown that overall survival in myeloma has improved at a faster rate than any other cancer in the UK in the last 10 years.

Haematology nurse specialist Philippa Hurlow said, "We spoke to a lot of people, many of whom had no knowledge of myeloma. We felt it was a very successful morning and hope that there will be a better understanding of this illness."

For more detailed information please visit myeloma.org.uk