National Sarcoma awareness month occurs each year in July helping to bring awareness and education about the specific type of cancer called sarcoma. Sarcomas are tumors made of connective tissue that originates from the body’s muscles, nerves, joints, bone, cartilage, blood vessels or fat. Sarcomas can occur anywhere in the body, but most often happen on the arms or legs. This type of cancer accounts for one-percent of all adult cancers, and fifteen-percent of childhood cancers. In 2021, the American Cancer Society estimates that over sixteen-thousand people will be diagnosed with some form of a sarcoma. Raising awareness about sarcomas and other types of cancer help to ensure proper medical care and early detection help to eradicate the cancer.
Do you want to help spread the word about sarcoma and help raise awareness for better medical care and testing for early detection? Check out these suggestions from the Cure Sarcoma organization.
- Join “Steps to Cure Sarcoma.” Steps to Cure Sarcoma is a group of patients, caregivers, family, friends and medical professionals who work together to raise money for further research and education about sarcomas and cancer. This challenge gives participants the choice on the number of steps they take, and how they choose to raise the money. You can create your own local challenges for others to join or simply take action yourself! The great part about this challenge is that there is no age limit! Anyone who can “step” can join in, where ever they are in the world!
- Share Cure Sarcoma’s Public Service Announcements. Social media has become a fantastic tool in helping to educate the empower a wider range of people and cultures about cancer and medical illnesses. These public service announcements, or PSAs, were created specially to help raise awareness about sarcomas. Consider sharing these PSAs during the month of July, or any time during the year, to help raise awareness! Check out these PSAs here!
- Share and Support those in your life who have fought against sarcomas! Using your social media platforms, share these graphics to help others understand the struggle your family member or friend went through. Cure Sarcoma has a page of pre-made images you can save to your device, and upload to your favorite platform.
- Attend and support local events. There are many nationwide events during the month of July that help to raise funds and awareness for sarcoma. To find these events in your area, you can check with your local health department or by searching events listed on the Cure Sarcoma website. You can also create and design your own events and register the event with Cure Sarcoma to help gain more possible participants.
- Donate & Shop! One of the simplest ways to support National Sarcoma Awareness month is to donate to the cause, or shop for goods for your friends and family through the Cure Sarcoma website, which gives a portion of their proceeds right back to research and awareness.
The Sarcoma Foundation of America offers numerous resources for those patients and caregivers trudging through sarcoma cancer. They offer resources in various forms including links and information about clinical trials and new medications. There are also educational videos and stories from other patients and their families who have shared their journey with the world. These types of personal experiences can be very beneficial for those also going through the journey to help bring some understanding to their lives, insight and helpful tips with tricks on how to cope and help to ease the patient’s mind.
The Race to Cure Sarcoma offers marathon events across the country each year. Those who participate in these walk-run events help to share the stories and journeys of those who are fighting against or have won against their sarcoma cancer. Funds raised at these marathon events support the Sarcoma Foundation of America’s national research programs and the research programs and events done in smaller cities around the world.
Know the signs! What are the signs and symptoms of sarcoma cancer?
Almost half of soft tissue sarcomas start in the arm or leg. Most people notice a lump that’s grown over time. This can mean some grow for weeks, months or years before they are noticed. The lump may or may not hurt. The placement of the sarcoma will determine the amount of pain or discomfort you experience. When sarcomas grow in the back of the abdomen, the symptoms often come from other problems the tumor is causing.
For instance, they may cause blockage or bleeding of the stomach or bowels. They can press on nerves, blood vessels, or nearby organs. They can grow large enough for the tumor to be felt in the belly. Sometimes the tumors cause pain. About four out of ten sarcomas begin in the abdomen. In some cases, sarcomas can start in the chest or in the head or neck. .
If you have any of these problems, see a doctor right away:
- A new lump or a lump that is growing anywhere in your body
- Abdominal pain that is getting worse
- Blood in your stool or vomit
- Black, tarry stools
These symptoms are more often caused by things other than sarcoma, but they still need to be checked out by a doctor.
July’s dedication to bringing awareness to this “forgotten” cancer will surely save lives and help people to remember to stay on top of their medical check-ups and care. Remember that regular medical care and testing can help you to detect cancer or another illness as early as possible, giving you the best chance possible in completely ridding your life of cancer! If you are experiencing any growth that sounds like a sarcoma, do not wait to make an appointment to begin testing with your doctor today.
Citations:
American Cancer Society
National Institutes of Health and Human Services
CureSarcoma.org
Sarcoma Foundation of America