'We knew something wasn't right - heartbreakingly, flu was deadly cancer'

'We knew something wasn't right - heartbreakingly, flu was deadly cancer'Alana Matthews thought she had flu she couldn't shake but when she found herself struggling to breathe she received the devastating diagnosisCommentsNewsElaine Blackburne Network Content Editor00:01, 22 Apr 2026View 4 ImagesAlana died just 18 months after being diagnosed with AML(Image: Blood Cancer UK)When Alana Matthews found she was struggling to clear a bout of the flu she put it down to bugs which were circulating at the time. But despite two visits to the GP where she was told it was likely to be a chest infection, she continued to feel unwell.‌When she found herself unable to keep up with her partner and friend they knew something was seriously amiss. But it took a 999 call when the then 26-year-old was rushed to hospital after struggling to get her breath that she finally learned the devastating truth.‌Rather than the flu or chest infection, Alana was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), an aggressive form of blood cancer. AML is one of the hardest to treat blood cancers, and tragically, despite fighting to beat the disease, Alana died just 18 months after first becoming unwell.‌View 4 ImagesAlana with best friend Katie(Image: Blood Cancer UK)Her best friend is now sharing the heartbreaking story as part of AML Awareness Day as Blood Cancer UK reveal that only three in 10 people currently survive the hardest to treat blood cancers. Katie Powell, from London, wants to highlight the urgent need for earlier diagnosis and access to the latest treatments and trials.Katie said: “At the end of 2023, she had what seemed like really bad flu – it was that time of year when everything is going around. But she just couldn’t shake it off."‌Alana visited her GP twice where she was told it was likely the “back end of a chest infection” but by February, her condition had worsened. Katie said: "I remember walking next to her and then realising she was about 20 metr...