Common blood cancer signs and symptoms – content toolkit

The Leukaemia Foundation is launching a public health campaign, which aims to educate people on key blood cancer signs and symptoms.

Blood cancer awareness is extremely low. Which means awareness of its signs and symptoms is even lower. Recent research shows three-quarters of Australians can’t name a single sign or symptom associated with blood cancer. This is a huge issue, considering 1 in 12 Australians are expected to be diagnosed with it.

Introducing ‘The Blood Count’

We’d like you to meet The Blood Count, a friendly ally and expert on blood cancer. Through our video-heavy campaign, he’s here to teach people about what to keep an eye out for when it comes to blood cancer.

Campaign dates

This campaign will run from April 22 to August 29 2025.

What are some common blood cancer symptoms?

Unexplained weight loss
Unexplained bruising or bleeding
Lumps or swellings
Shortness of breath
Drenching night sweats
Repeat or severe infections
Regular fevers
Unexplained rash or itchy skin
Pain in your bone, joints or abdomen
Fatigue
Unusually pale complexion

This isn’t an exhaustive list – different sub-types have other, specific symptoms.

Our campaign web landing page – bloodcancer.org.au

During the campaign, the Leukaemia Foundation encourages people to visit bloodcancer.org.au to learn about common blood cancer signs and symptoms.

Campaign calls to action

Our campaign has two main calls to action. Please use them where appropriate:

Visit bloodcancer.org.au to learn more.
If you’re concerned about blood cancer, speak with your doctor.

How can you get involved?

We have produced video content which you are welcome to share on your own channels.

Please find a folder of videos here, in an array of lengths and specs.

We ask you to share this content on your social media channels. Feel free to use or lean on the copy below if you need help.

Do you know the main signs and symptoms of blood cancer? Most Australians don’t! But with 1 in 12 Australians being diagnosed with blood cancer, it’s important to raise awareness. Greater awareness means that blood cancer is detected sooner. Of course, this means people have a better chance of being treated as soon as possible, too.

Key statistics you can also highlight

Three-quarters of Australians can’t name one sign or symptom associated with blood cancer.
Breast cancer, lung cancer and melanoma are the most known forms of cancer in Australia. Blood cancer is the 10th most known, even though it is the second-highest cause of cancer-related deaths in the country.
Millennials are more likely to claim symptom awareness of blood cancer (21%) compared to Gen Z (12%) and Gen X (15%).
Around 13% of people with blood cancer wait more than two months from their first appointment to be referred to a specialist.
Blood cancer cases are set to almost double by 2035.

We are extremely grateful to our supportive partners who have made this campaign possible.