A WIRRAL mum is warning others to be on the lookout for symptoms of leukaemia after she puts hers down to post-pregnancy aches.

When new mum Melissa Lawson, from Moreton, spotted bruises on her legs she simply put it down to her newborn son gently pinching her skin.

But the bruises, and the constant backaches she thought were the result of her recent pregnancy, were actually signs of something far more sinister.

Sixteen months on and with her son Michael approaching his third birthday, Melissa wants other people to know what to look out for during Leukaemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month this September.

It was the 19-year-old’s initial confusion about the symptoms that eventually prompted her to see a doctor.

She said: “In April last year I was getting stomach pains and coming out in bruises but couldn’t explain what was bringing them on.

“I had backache quite early on and my mum said she had backache for about a year after having my brother so that’s what I put it down to.”

But one day Melissa felt so sick, a headache and a swollen stomach. Coupled with her big, lumpy bruises, she knew something was not right.

She saw a doctor and was immediately referred to Arrowe Park Hospital.

A day later, aged just 18, Melissa was told she had chronic myeloid leukaemia, a cancer that starts in bone marrow stem cells – the cells that produce all blood cells.

She was referred to the Royal Liverpool University Hospital and spent two nights there as doctors ran tests to establish the most suitable course of medication.

Melissa now takes the tablet imatinib, which aims to suppress rather than cure her condition.

Since 1998, it has greatly improved the survival chances for patients newly diagnosed with her condition - which was once between three to five years - by inhibiting the leukaemia and encouraging the re-growth of normal bone marrow stem cells.

One recent study showed that of those that responded well to the drug, 95.2% survived after eight years.

Melissa, who has monthly blood checks, said she still experiences too much pain and nausea to return to work so now looks after her son full time.

She added: “I didn’t know anything about leukaemia so I wasn’t looking for the signs because I didn’t know what they were.

“Even when I was getting bruises I had put it down to the baby. I think a lot of people won’t be sure what it is so I want to raise awareness so other people know what to look out for.”

Symptoms of leukaemias are often vague “everyday” complaints such as tiredness, aches and pains or maybe recurrent infections.

It is always worth seeking medical advice if you have easy bruising.

A simple blood test via the GP is all that is needed to rule out a leukaemia or similar blood disorder.