This July we are recognising, supporting, and advocating for every individual affected by bone cancer — reflecting on both the lives lost and the cost to quality of life that current treatment has.
Poonam's story
Poonam Hirani, pictured above, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2000 when she was just nine years old. Her treatment involved MAP chemotherapy which took its toll on her tiny body, together with life-changing surgery.
Patients like Poonam deserve to live full and happy lives after a journey with bone sarcoma (primary bone cancer). With the development of new treatments, it is essential that these be kinder with fewer side effects both during and after treatment.
Watch the video below to find out more.
Educate yourself this July...
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).
New research
We are proud to share that scientists at the University of East Anglia have been awarded research funding from the Bone Cancer Research Trust to deep dive into individual cancer cells, paving the way for new therapeutic targets in Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma.
Support resources
For #SarcomaAwarenessMonth, we have developed video resources to support patients who may be suffering from long-term and late effects of their treatment.
Navigating these effects can be daunting. We are here to provide resources that inform and support patients and former patients to help them thrive. This includes advice on coping with long-term pain, navigating health anxiety, and managing feelings of survivor's guilt.
Check back on w/c 15th July to view the new resources.
Get involved...
Donate towards our vital work
Patients like Poonam rely on your generosity as we work towards kinder, more effective treatments to help turn the tide on primary bone cancer.
Whether you make a one-off payment or set up a regular gift, by donating, you will bring us one step closer towards a cure.
Share your story with us
Every journey with bone cancer is unique and incredibly powerful.
By sharing your story with us you can provide comfort, guidance and strength to others in a similar situation.
Attend our webinar
If you're a healthcare professional, don't forget to attend our free webinar on Thursday 11th July 2024 at 19:00 (BST).
Held in partnership with Orthopaedic Research UK, the event will be led by Mr. Craig Gerrand, consultant orthopaedic surgeon and clinical lead for cancer at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore.
Find out more and register for the event by visiting the link below.
As always we will be sharing lots of posts, stories, news and announcements through #SarcomaAwarenessMonth. Help educate others and spread the word:
- Download and share our symptoms graphic
- Share your own experience of bone sarcoma / primary bone cancer with friends and family on social media using the hashtag #EveryPatientMatters
- Ask your loved ones to visit this webpage to educate themselves on bone sarcoma / primary bone cancer
