Publish date: 25 July 2022
Sarcoma is a rare cancer that can be more common in younger people than other cancers and because symptoms can often be vague at first, can often be overlooked – particularly when someone is otherwise young, fit and healthy.
Now, during Sarcoma Awareness Month, consultant Dr Nasim Ali is urging people to be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease.
Dr Ali, Consultant in Medical Oncology at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, has been treating young sarcoma patients Molly Doyle and Tom Street recently.
Molly, 22 from Colwyn Bay, was just starting her second year of university when she started developing what she describes as ‘flare ups’ of hip pain that turned out to be a rare form of cancer called a Ewing sarcoma, which was treated at Clatterbridge.
Tom, 25, from Wavertree, was 18 when he first started having symptoms, also diagnosed as a Ewing sarcoma. He also had treatment at Clatterbridge.
Dr Ali said: “If you have any symptoms, particularly a pain or swelling that isn’t going away, I would encourage you to see your GP and explain that you are worried.
“As with other cancers, the earlier we find a sarcoma, the more treatment options there are available and the higher the chances are of making a full recovery and living well afterwards.”
Symptoms of a sarcoma can include:
- Bone pain – this may get worse over time and may be worse at night
- A lump or swelling that is growing over time, especially if greater than 5cm, which may or may not be tender
- A swelling in the tummy (abdomen)
- Feeling tired all the time
- Unintentional weight loss
You can read Molly’s story here.
You can read Tom’s story here.