July is Sarcoma Cancer Awareness Month, a global healthcare initiative that has been recognising sarcoma awareness for the past 16 years.
Sarcoma Cancer Awareness Month’s theme for 2024 is “Raising Awareness to Create Survivors.”
This month’s focus is on educating the community on the latest findings, early diagnosis, and how they affect the families of those who are impacted.
Sarcomas are rare cancers. The two most common kinds of sarcoma are bone sarcoma, also known as primary bone cancer, and soft tissue sarcoma, which can develop from a range of tissue structures, including blood vessels, muscles, joints, bones, fat, and nerves.
The origins behind sarcoma are unknown, although there are some known risk factors. For instance, exposure to phenoxyacetic acid in herbicides or chlorophenols in wood preservatives may raise the risk.
Numerous signs and symptoms may appear, however they may be vague and readily confused with those of other illnesses in cases of sarcoma.
A palpable lump or mass is one of the typical indications and symptoms of sarcoma, Pain or discomfort; restricted range of motion; bone pain or fractures; inexplicable loss of weight; exhaustion are among others.
A combination of imaging tests, biopsies, and clinical examinations is used in the early identification of sarcoma.
By increasing knowledge of the condition’s symptoms and the significance of early discovery, early diagnosis and treatments may improve long-term survival rates.
The prognosis and treatment results for ill patients are greatly enhanced by early identification of sarcoma. Early detection of sarcoma, before metastasis, usually results in more effective treatment.
When the tumour is small and localised, surgical resection, the main treatment for sarcoma has a higher chance of success.
Less harsh treatment methods may also be available with early detections, reducing the need for radiation therapy or surgery.
This year, we are urged to remember those who have lost their lives to sarcoma, show support for patients and survivors, and reaffirm our shared resolve to working towards a time when the illness may be identified early, treated successfully, and eventually cured.
