Sarcoma Awareness Month 2024: Spotlight on Diagnosis Challenges and Patient Experience
July is Sarcoma Awareness Month, a time to increase understanding of this rare cancer. This year, Sarcoma UK’s “Don’t Delay” campaign focuses on the critical issue of prompt diagnosis. Sadly, many sarcoma patients face a long and difficult path to getting the right diagnosis and starting treatment.
Sarcomas are challenging to diagnose because symptoms like pain or lumps can be mistaken for other conditions. As a rare cancer, awareness of sarcoma is low among both the public and healthcare professionals. Sarcoma UK’s research has revealed that 1 in 3 people see a healthcare provider for over 6 months before being correctly diagnosed, and 15% make more than five visits before receiving an accurate diagnosis. This delay causes immense anxiety and loneliness for patients.
Research plays a vital role in improving the diagnosis experience. Sarcoma UK-funded studies have found that sarcomas are often misdiagnosed as sports injuries, especially in teens and young adults who wait longer to see a GP. Engaging physiotherapists in sarcoma education is one important solution.
Researchers have also identified inequities — people in the most deprived UK areas are 23% more likely to die within 5 years and have lower rates of sarcoma diagnosis compared to affluent areas. They are also more often diagnosed in A&E with advanced symptoms. Receiving surgery at a high-volume specialist centre is linked to better survival.
These findings are guiding Sarcoma UK’s efforts to reform sarcoma care in partnership with experts. This year, £300,000 will fund new research on key diagnosis challenges like identifying risk factors, redesigning care pathways, and raising awareness.
