Bleeding gums led to cancer diagnosis for Scottish student after routine blood tests

A Scottish university student who first noticed bleeding gums has said the symptom was the earliest sign of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), a diagnosis she received after routine tests for low iron revealed abnormal blood counts.

Amber Cunningham-Rogan, from St Andrews, was 21 and studying marketing management when she contacted her dentist in 2020 after her gums began to bleed. She told doctors she initially assumed the problem was caused by brushing too hard or by gingivitis, and she experienced numbness and tingling in her hands and legs that did not prompt a cancer diagnosis after repeated GP visits, scans and blood tests.

Her medical concerns intensified after a referral to hospital to investigate hereditary haemochromatosis, or iron overload. At Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, routine haematology tests showed a slightly raised white blood cell count and further testing, including a bone marrow biopsy, confirmed chronic myeloid leukaemia. A hospital call during exam season told her she needed to start treatment immediately.

Cunningham-Rogan was placed on a daily oral targeted therapy used to control CML. She described the side effects as "brutal," citing hair loss, bone pain, migraines, rashes and an episode of heart palpitations that required a visit to A&E. She moved back to St Andrews from Edinburgh to undergo treatment but continued with her degree.

After six months of treatment she achieved what clinicians call a deep molecular response, meaning the disease was undetectable at a sensitive level used to measure treatment success. She continues on therapy to keep the cancer under control and said she remains hopeful about the possibility of stopping treatment in future, provided a sustained deep molecular response is maintained and clinical criteria are met.

Cunningham-Rogan said she still experiences fatigue, bone pain, headaches and skin problems and has found support through residential programmes for young people with cancer and online communities. "I'm now a hopeful candidate for trying to go treatment-free," she said. "To be eligible, you must sustain a deep molecular response over time, and everything must be carefully assessed. For me, stopping treatment isn't just about the meds, it's about trying to get my life back."

Health charities say the case highlights how blood cancers can be difficult to detect because early symptoms are often vague. Signs of leukaemia can include persistent coughs, lingering colds, swollen glands, night sweats and fatigue, which may be mistaken for common conditions.

Colin Dyer, chief executive of Leukaemia Care, said Cunningham-Rogan's experience underlines the need for awareness. "Amber's story is a powerful reminder that leukaemia can affect anyone, at any age, and that the signs are often subtle and easy to miss," he said. "Too many people like Amber can spend months searching for answers before receiving a diagnosis. That's why our #SpotLeukaemia campaign is so important — it helps people recognise the key symptoms and empowers them to seek medical advice sooner. Early diagnosis can make all the difference to treatment options and outcomes, and raising awareness is vital in saving lives."

CML is a rare, typically slow-growing cancer of the white blood cells that most commonly affects older adults. According to Cancer Research UK figures cited by advocacy groups, roughly 840 people are diagnosed with CML each year in the UK, compared with about 9,000 in the United States; more than 6,000 people were living with the disease in Britain in 2010. Survival rates have improved with targeted therapies, and about three-quarters of patients on treatment now live at least five years after diagnosis.

Doctors caution that while common, minor symptoms do not usually indicate cancer, persistent or unexplained changes in health should be evaluated. Cunningham-Rogan said her experience has taught her not to dismiss unusual symptoms and urged others to press for further investigation when something does not feel right.