Blood Cancer UK responds to Lauren Laverne's smouldering myeloma diagnosis

Lauren shared that she currently feels well, does not need treatment and will instead be monitored with regular check-ups.

Smouldering myeloma doesn't usually cause symptoms or require treatment straight away. Instead, people are regularly monitored through a process known as active monitoring, allowing doctors to identify any changes as early as possible.

"We wish Lauren all the very best following her diagnosis and thank her for speaking so openly about smouldering myeloma. Many people will never have heard of smouldering myeloma before today. It's an early stage of myeloma, a type of blood cancer, where changes can be detected in the bone marrow and blood, but people do not usually experience symptoms or need treatment straight away. Instead, they are closely monitored through regular check-ups so that any changes can be identified as early as possible. While being told you have a blood cancer but do not need treatment immediately can feel confusing, uncertain and worrying, active monitoring is a safe, evidence-based approach that helps ensure people receive the right care at the right time.

“There are more than 53,000 people across the UK on active monitoring for different blood cancers, including smouldering myeloma, so nobody should feel they are facing this alone. If Lauren's story has prompted questions or concerns about smouldering myeloma or any type of blood cancer, we're here for you. Our specialist nurses provide free, confidential support and information, helping people understand their diagnosis, make sense of active monitoring and find answers to any questions they may have. No one has to face blood cancer alone.”