Conservative MP Greg Smith has shared his deeply personal health journey, revealing how symptoms he first experienced as a teenager eventually led to a diagnosis of incurable blood cancer.
The Buckingham representative, now 42, recalls experiencing persistent fatigue and frequent illnesses during his school years that would later be recognised as early warning signs of multiple myeloma.
The Long Road to Diagnosis
Speaking candidly about his experience, Mr Smith described how his health concerns began in his mid-teens. "I was constantly tired, constantly getting ill, constantly getting every bug going around," he revealed.
Despite seeking medical advice multiple times, it would take years before doctors identified the root cause of his ongoing health struggles.
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
The MP received his multiple myeloma diagnosis in 2022 after undergoing tests for what he believed was a chest infection. The incurable blood cancer affects plasma cells in the bone marrow.
"It was a massive shock," Mr Smith admitted. "To be told you have cancer is bad enough, but to be told it's incurable is something else entirely."
Treatment and Daily Challenges
Since his diagnosis, the MP has undergone chemotherapy and continues to manage his condition while maintaining his parliamentary duties. He takes 47 tablets daily as part of his treatment regimen.
Mr Smith praised the "incredible" care he has received from the NHS, particularly highlighting the staff at the haematology department at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
Raising Awareness and Hope
The Buckingham MP is now using his platform to raise awareness about cancer symptoms and encourage others to persist in seeking answers when something doesn't feel right.
"If you've got symptoms that are persisting, please do keep going back to the doctor," he urged. "Don't be fobbed off."
Despite the challenges of living with an incurable condition, Mr Smith maintains a positive outlook, focusing on managing the cancer as a chronic illness rather than a death sentence.
