Bruno Kirby died within weeks of leukaemia diagnosis

Al Murray opens up about nephew’s leukemia battle on Lorraine

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The New York native was born on April 28, 1949; his career took off in the 1970s, when Bruno Kirby was only a young man. Kirby made a name for himself when starring in the TV series MAS*H in 1972; he then went on to feature in The Godfather: Part II, and Good Morning, Vietnam. In 2006, the actor was diagnosed with leukaemia and, three weeks later, he was dead.

His wife, Lynn Sellers, was with him throughout his illness, which took his life at the age of 57.

Acting coach John Kirby said of his brother: “There was no pretentiousness about him.

“He was a class act, and yet he was still from the neighbourhood. He never went Hollywood.”

What is leukaemia?

Macmillan Cancer Support explained leukaemia is cancer of the blood cells.

Many people have no symptoms in the early stages of the disease, but it can be discovered by chance following a routine blood test.

Experts at the Cancer Council elaborated that leukaemia is cancer of the white blood cells that are made in the bone marrow.

“Leukaemia is grouped [depending on] the type of white blood cell affected – lymphoid or myeloid,” the experts noted.

Leukaemia is also grouped according to its speed of progression.

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The experts expanded: “Acute leukaemia appears suddenly and grows quickly while chronic leukaemia appears gradually and develops slowly over months to years.”

If mild symptoms of leukaemia surface, signs can include tiredness and anaemia.

Anaemia can be identified via a pale complexion, weakness and breathlessness.

Symptoms of the cancer might also include repeated mouth sores, fevers, sweats, coughs, and frequently passing urine.

Other less common symptoms include:

  • Bone pain
  • Swollen, tender gums
  • Skin rashes
  • Headaches
  • Vision problems
  • Vomiting
  • Enlarged lymph glands
  • Enlarged spleen that may cause pain or discomfort
  • Chest pains.

While the exact cause of the cancer is unknown, factors that increase a person’s risk include exposure to intense radiation.

Exposure to the human T-Cell leukaemia virus has also been reported as a risk factor.

If you don’t feel right in yourself, trust your gut instinct, but seek medical advice to get to the root of the problem.

Leukaemia is diagnosed following a multitude of tests, such as X-rays, a bone marrow biopsy, and a blood test (to name a few).

Depending on the stage of the cancer, treatment will be unique for each case.

“Acute leukaemia develops quickly and needs to be treated urgently, typically within 24 hours of diagnosis,” the experts added.

Bruno Kirby stars in City Slickers, which airs on Thursday, October 6 on Film4 at 6.45pm.

Exposure to the human T-Cell leukaemia virus has also been reported as a risk factor.

If you don’t feel right in yourself, trust your gut instinct, but seek medical advice to get to the root of the problem.

Leukaemia is diagnosed following a multitude of tests, such as X-rays, a bone marrow biopsy, and a blood test (to name a few).

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