Dai Havard

Labour Party | Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney

Hospital Visit Kicks-Off ‘Walking Through Treacle’ Campaign

National Assembly Health Minister Jane Hutt is backing a campaign to help cancer patients in their battle against anaemia and fatigue which can severely impact their daily lives.

The Minister the Vale of Glamorgan Assembly Member today (Friday July 18th) helped launch the ‘Your Numbers Count’ campaign when she visited the Velindre Hospital in Cardiff to learn first hand about anaemia, fatigue and haemoglobin levels.

Launched by the Wales based cancer charity Tenovus the campaign is aimed at encouraging patients to better understand their haemoglobin levels which measure the number of red blood cells in the body.

If the haemoglobin count is less than 12g/dl a patient may require treatment for anaemia.  Treatment options may include dietary advice, a blood transfusion or natural hormone replacement therapy.

More than 60% of patients receiving chemotherapy experience anaemia which can lead to fatigue which has been described by some patients as similar “to walking through treacle”.

The Assembly Health Minister said: “Fatigue is now recognised as the number one untreated symptom of cancer care and I’m pleased to be involved in the first of several UK-wide events to launch a campaign that raises the issue of cancer related fatigue and encourages communication and dialogue between patient and physician.”

The Minister was amongst those who looked on as Dai Havard MP for Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney had his own haemoglobin levels checked.  They were okay.  The MP’s constituency has one of the highest incidences of cancer in the UK.

More than 20 MPs have signed an Early Day Motion (EDM) in the
House of Commons tabled by Dai Havard MP.
supporting the campaign.

Dai Havard MP said: "Cancer Patients suffering from debilitating fatigue need to know their haemoglobin level. That knowledge will arm them for any discussion about their illness and treatment, that’s what the campaign is all about.”

The initiative follows a survey which showed only a small percentage of patients were aware of their haemoglobin level.  It also revealed that less than half of cancer patients discussed fatigue in the context of anaemia with their doctor or nurse.

Tenovus Chief Executive Dr Richard Walker said: “This campaign will help educate and inform patients about cancer related fatigue which can be extremely debilitating and prevent people from undertaking simple everyday tasks such as getting out of bed and brushing their teeth.”

He said that knowing the pattern of their haemoglobin level would enable patients to spot trends and ask for help and treatment.

The UK-wide campaign is supported by the ovarian cancer charity Ovacome and the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF (UK)).  Attending the launch on behalf of Ovacome was Chairperson Rosemary Williams and IMF (UK) Chief Executive Eric Low.

For information on the ‘Your Numbers Count’ campaign call Tenovus on:0808 8081010.