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The NHS has warned people that if they 'look pale' this winter, then they may want to see their GP, especially if it is not normal for them or it is accompanied by other signs and symptoms. On its information page about acute myeloid leukaemia, the NHS stresses that it "progresses quickly and aggressively, and usually requires immediate treatment."

The health experts note that acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is classified according to the type of white blood cells affected. The two main types of white blood cells are monocytes and granulocytes, which come from myeloid stem cells and lymphocytes, which come from lymphoid stem cells.

Whilst AML is most common in people over 75, it is classed as a rare type of cancer, with around 3,100 people diagnosed with it each year in the UK.

As mentioned, "looking pale" or "washed out" are both signs that something could be wrong. The symptoms tend to "develop over a few weeks and become worse over time."

Symptoms can include:

• feeling tired or weak
• breathlessness
• frequent infections
• unusual and frequent bruising or bleeding, such as bleeding gums or nosebleeds
• losing weight without trying to
• having a high temperature, or feeling hot, cold or shivery
• night sweats
• easily bruised skin
• flat red or purple spots on the skin
• bone and joint pain
• a feeling of fullness or discomfort in your tummy
• swollen glands in your neck, armpit or groin that may be sore when you touch them

Urging people to "speak to a GP if you or your child have possible symptoms of AML" they say that while it's "highly unlikely that leukaemia is the cause, these symptoms should be investigated." Remember, the sooner you visit your GP, the less invasive the tests may be, and the fewer trips you'll have if they catch your issue early.

If your GP thinks you may have leukaemia, they will arrange blood tests to check your blood cells. If the tests suggest there is a problem, you'll be urgently referred to a specialist in treating blood conditions (haematologist) for further tests and treatment.

It is not clear what causes it, with the NHS admitting that "in most cases, there's no identifiable cause." But there are some things that can increase your risk of getting AML, including:

• previous chemotherapy or radiotherapy
• exposure to very high levels of radiation (including previous radiotherapy treatment)
• smoking and other exposure to benzene, a chemical used in manufacturing that's also found in cigarette smoke
• having a blood disorder or some genetic conditions, such as Down's syndrome