Pritpal Kaur, a 73-year-old woman, experienced pain in her ribs and difficulty breathing, which led her to seek medical help. However, after five months of misdiagnoses and tests, she was finally diagnosed with blood cancer called myeloma. This devastating news came as a shock to Pritpal, who was previously fit and active, even participating in running the London Marathon. Her daughter, Minreet Kaur, who also went through this ordeal with her mother, decided to raise awareness about myeloma to prevent others from experiencing delayed diagnoses and inappropriate treatments.
After filing a complaint to PALS, the Patient Advice and Liaison Service, about her concerns regarding her mother’s treatment, Minreet was able to get the attention of a senior cardiologist who conducted further tests. The tests eventually led to the correct diagnosis of myeloma. Pritpal and Minreet now advocate for spreading awareness about myeloma, a disease that is often misunderstood and stigmatized in their South Asian community. They highlight the importance of timely diagnosis and appropriate support for individuals battling this form of cancer.
Minreet reflects on the challenges her family faced during the misdiagnosis period, which resulted in her mother’s severe health decline. She emphasizes the need for more efficient processes in diagnosing myeloma, as many patients, like her mother, have endured lengthy waits for an accurate diagnosis. To combat the stigma surrounding myeloma, Minreet uses social media to educate others and plans to establish a myeloma support group specifically for the South Asian community. Additionally, she and her father will be running the London Marathon to raise funds for Blood Cancer UK and honor Pritpal, who was unable to complete the marathon last year.
Myeloma UK states that there is no single test to diagnose myeloma, and doctors must consider various factors to confirm a diagnosis. Through their advocacy efforts, Pritpal and Minreet aim to address misconceptions about myeloma, especially within the South Asian community where such health issues are often shrouded in secrecy or shame. By sharing their personal experience and challenging cultural norms, they hope to create a supportive environment for individuals affected by myeloma and encourage early detection and treatment to improve outcomes.
The journey of Pritpal and Minreet sheds light on the importance of advocating for oneself in the healthcare system and raising awareness about lesser-known diseases like myeloma. Their story underscores the need for improved communication between patients, doctors, and healthcare providers to ensure timely diagnosis and appropriate care. By speaking openly about their experiences and challenging cultural taboos, Pritpal and Minreet are taking proactive steps to support others affected by myeloma and advocate for better access to healthcare services for all members of their community.
