Sarcoma is a cancer that few have heard of.
Its rarity should not hide the catastrophic effect it can have on those who have experienced sarcoma or their family and friends.
Being little recognised and far from fully understood has led to a plethora of issues which seem unique to sarcoma.
Sarcoma UK launched its biggest national awareness campaign to date with the release of a major new report entitled The Loneliest Cancer. The report gives a frank snapshot of what the current sarcoma landscape looks like in the UK, and reveals how sarcoma and a general lack of awareness around the cancer can have a devastating impact on both patients, their families and friends, from diagnosis through to treatment.
Richard Davidson, Chief Executive of Sarcoma UK, believes it’s time for sarcoma to raise its profile. He says: ‘We know the patient journey can be isolating, frightening and traumatic for many. The unfortunate truth is that people only really become aware of what sarcoma is when it touches their life or those in their family.
‘Making both healthcare professionals and the general public more aware of it will help people get a faster diagnosis, obtain better treatment and improve access to any new drugs which will ultimately result in a more positive outcome.’
The report also finds:
- Little progress has been made in recent years in terms of developing successful new sarcoma-specific treatments.
- There is hope on the horizon through both ‘tumour-agnostic’ drugs like larotrectinib and innovative research projects, including one involving cancer killing bioactive glass.
- The opening of the UK’s second Proton Beam Therapy centre at University College London Hospital could help expand treatment options within the UK.
Sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company Limited. 
