A WORCESTER-based national health charity says people are increasingly worried about cancer – but many are unaware of one of the most common types.

Leukaemia CARE, which supports people affected by blood cancers, says its latest survey suggests people are 15 per cent more worried about cancer than they were a decade ago – despite survival rates having improved markedly.

But the charity is concerned about ignorance of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), a cancer of the blood that is the UK’s sixth most common form of cancer.

Sixty-three per cent of, 1,872 people surveyed by Leukaemia CARE did not know NHL is a cancer at all – and more than half (53 per cent) could not even hazard a guess as to what NHL is.

Tony Gavin, the charity’s chief executive officer, said: “It does trouble us that the severity and prevalence of NHL is not understood by the public and that many don’t even recognise it as a form of cancer because it is a disease with a high, and increasing, incidence. More than 10,000 new cases are diagnosed every year.

“We’re not suggesting people should worry more about NHL, or any cancer , but as people’s general awareness of cancer improves, we would hope this translates to them being more alert about their own health and having any physical changes checked out.

“Our work is to ensure people do know about NHL, can recognise its symptoms and get the best possible care in a timely fashion.”

Anyone affected by non-Hodgkin lymphoma or any other blood cancer can contact Leukaemia CARE free on 0800 169668.