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Bruise mystery: Mum's shock cancer diagnosis
23 Jun
Summary
- A mistaken football injury turned out to be incurable bone marrow cancer.
- Rapid diagnosis followed unusual blood test results and kidney failure.
- Early detection is vital, as the cancer often presents with vague symptoms.
A Wolverhampton mother, Katie Haywood, 45, received a devastating diagnosis of myeloma, an incurable cancer of the bone marrow, in June 2025. Initially, she attributed a significant bruise on her arm to an unnoticed impact during football practice. When the bruise persisted and caused pain, she sought medical attention, leading to blood tests that revealed critical irregularities, prompting an immediate hospital transfer.
Myeloma, a blood cancer affecting over 35,000 people in the UK, often goes undiagnosed due to vague symptoms such as fatigue and back pain. Katie had experienced these, along with constant colds and breathlessness, but dismissed them due to her active lifestyle. Her condition escalated rapidly, with doctors discovering end-stage kidney failure and severe anemia, indicating she had only about a week before collapsing.
Following her diagnosis, Katie underwent chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant in November 2025. She is now in remission but faces long-term effects from the treatment, including reduced kidney function and induced menopause. Katie is now supporting Myeloma UK's campaign to educate the public on recognizing the warning signs of this often-missed cancer, emphasizing the crucial role of early detection.
