17/07/2026
"One of the many things I've learned after going through health challenges in recent years is that talking about this stuff helps people."
We wish Lauren Laverne all the best following her diagnosis and thank her for speaking so openly about smouldering myeloma.
If you’ve never heard of it before, let us tell you a little about it. 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 don’t usually experience symptoms or need treatment straight away.
Instead, they’re 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 ❤️
