In 2004, our founding families came together, they were joined by a common goal – to increase research into primary bone cancer and to help other families.
Fast forward 20 years and their focus on patients and determination to make a difference, along with the views and priorities of the bone cancer community, sit at the heart of our current strategy ‘More Patients Surviving. More Patients Thriving.’
To mark 20 years since our founders came together, we launched a new campaign, More Patients Surviving & Thriving, which aims to:
- Through sharing lived experiences highlight the impact primary bone cancer has on patients and their loved ones alongside demonstrating the change we are working to bring about for bone cancer patients
- Show our commitment to research through news, interviews, collaborations, and researcher spotlights
- Showcase and make available our updated accredited information resources on all forms of primary bone cancer and bone tumour
- Demonstrate how your passion and generosity for fundraising is impacting and growing our community
- Highlight what our Support & Information Service can offer and share the difference it has made to so many patients and their families
- Demonstrate impact – We’ll be sharing the impact our work is having and has had since we launched our 10 year strategy in 2022
Throughout 2024 we will also continue to raise vital awareness with the public and healthcare professionals through our awareness campaigns:
- 4th February - World Cancer Day
- 11th February - International Day of Women and Girls in Science
- 29th February - Rare Disease Day
- 20th March - World Oral Health Day
- April - Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Awareness Month
- July - Sarcoma Awareness Month
- September - Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
- 7-13 October - Bone Cancer Awareness Week
- 2-8 December - Giant Cell Tumour of the Bone Awareness Week
Anthony's story
Watch the video below to find out why patients like Anthony deserve kinder, more effective treatments that will enable them to survive and thrive after primary bone cancer.
Get involved and help support our campaign:
Share your story
If awareness from my story can help one person that’s all I can ask for. Thank you to the Bone Cancer Research Trust for letting me share my story, spread vital awareness, and raise money for such an incredible cause and charity.”
- Jade Crabtree, former osteosarcoma patient
You could share your story or how we have supported you – this makes a huge impact in the community as it informs and inspires others and lets them know they are not alone in their experiences.
Request an Awareness Pack
Wherever you are, whatever you do, everyone can make a difference... From putting up a poster in your local shop or workplace, to sharing important information leaflets during a coffee morning passing it to your GP practice. It doesn't matter what you do, what matters is that you do it!
Are you a healthcare professional? We also provide life-saving awareness resources about the signs and symptoms of primary bone cancer and tumour as well as the referral pathways. Request a pack below and educate yourself and your colleagues by sharing the resources with your team members.
Alternatively, you can download our resources and watch our free training webinars, here
Donate
Without your generosity our life-saving work wouldn’t be possible. A donation of £10 can help us equip medical professionals with life-saving training and education materials, containing the signs and symptoms of primary bone cancer and tumours and the steps they should take to rule out or confirm a diagnosis.
Educate yourself
Primary bone cancers, or bone sarcomas, are cancers that originate in a cell found in the bone. They can develop in any bone in the body, though over a third of cases (34%) are found in the long bones of the lower body - such as the thigh (femur) or shin bone (tibia). There are several types of bone sarcoma / primary bone cancer, below are links to find out more about each form. The most common are:
There are also several less common forms of tumours that arise in the bone, these are:
- Spindle Cell Sarcoma of the Bone
- Adamantinoma
- Angiosarcoma of the Bone
- Giant Cell Tumour of the Bone (a non-cancerous tumour)
Symptoms to look out for...
Symptoms of primary bone cancer can be very general and often appear similar to the symptoms of sports injuries, growing pains or many other common conditions such as tendonitis or arthritis. They may also vary depending on the location and the size of the tumour. See our symptoms graphic below for more information.
If you are concerned about symptoms, always seek medical advice from your doctor or GP. For more information, please call our Support & Information Line on 0800 111 4855 (Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm) or email support@bcrt.org.uk.