Local MP meets with rare cancer charity Sarcoma UK to discuss the importance of early diagnosis in saving lives

The MP for Angus is excited to support Sarcoma UK on improving sarcoma diagnosis and helping give every single person who is diagnosed with the best chance of survival.

Highlighting the importance of early diagnosis, Dave Doogan MP said: “It was enlightening to attend the sarcoma event in Parliament recently, and it was positive to see such a large turnout for this event.

“I was concerned to learn that only 25 per cent of people know what sarcoma is, and I’m proud to work with Sarcoma UK to help spread awareness of this rare cancer.

“It is also clear to see that more needs to be done to improve the speed and accuracy with which sarcoma is diagnosed so that patients have the best possible chance of survival.

“It’s welcome to see Sarcoma UK raising public awareness about sarcoma and its symptoms, while funding vital research into better treatments and supporting patients and loved ones through its Sarcoma UK Support Line.

“I have written to the Director of Medicine for NHS Education for Scotland to ask how sarcoma can be more effectively diagnosed for patients in Angus and across Scotland.”

Richard Davidson, CEO of Sarcoma UK, was delighted to raise the charity’s profile.

He said: “Early diagnosis is one of the key drivers for improving survival and through discussions with supporters and clinicians, academic research and survey results, we have so far found three key challenges to diagnosis: public awareness, healthcare professional awareness and the diagnostic pathway.

“Sarcoma UK welcomes Dave Doogan’s support in boosting public awareness of sarcoma and putting early diagnosis on the agenda.”

Sarcoma UK is a national charity which funds vital research, offers support for anyone affected by sarcoma cancer and campaigns for better treatments. It is the only cancer charity in the UK focusing on all types of sarcoma.

Sarcomas are uncommon cancers which can affect any part of the body, on the inside or outside, including the muscle, bone, tendons, blood vessels and fatty tissues.  There are around 100 different sub-types of sarcoma.  

Fifteen people are diagnosed with sarcoma every day in the UK, which is about 5300 people a year.  Furthermore, the later a sarcoma is diagnosed, the less likely someone is to survive.

Sarcoma patients face hurdles at almost every stage of their diagnosis, from GP awareness, scanning, delays and getting referred to a specialist centre.

Initial diagnosis is often inaccurate and compared to other more common cancers, fewer treatment options are available. This means that currently only 55 per cent of sarcoma patients live beyond five years.

It's essential that if anyone has any of the signs and symptoms of sarcoma, they should contact their GP.

Symptoms:

A lump which is growing, changing, or bigger than a golf ball.

Swelling, tenderness or pain in or around the bone which may come and go and may be worse at night.

Stomach pain, feeling sick, loss of appetite or feeling full after eating only a small amount of food.

Blood in either your faeces or vomit.

Sarcoma UK Support Line experts are available for every person affected by sarcoma.

Anyone worried about it can contact Sarcoma UK for more information and support. The telephone number is 0808 801 0401.  Alternatively, email them on [email protected]  

Sarcoma UK also offers a convenient text service where you can text your questions to 07860 058 830.