Tracking visible lumps and bumps
The National Sarcoma Survey 2020 showed that over a third (35%) of sarcoma patients had to see a healthcare professional 3 or more times before being referred, with almost half of all patients (47%) waiting more than 3 months from their first appointment before receiving an accurate diagnosis.
One of the symptoms of sarcoma is a growing lump, and over the time period before referral, visible lumps can change significantly. However, it is not uncommon to see multiple different healthcare professionals in this time, and they may not put this into their system. With no standard way of measuring lumps and bumps, any measurements recorded by professionals may not be measured in the same way.
What are we doing?
We have created a resource to help patients measure and track a visible lump. This will give them information and pictures to show their GP, enhancing their chance of referral for further tests where necessary.
“If patients can demonstrate to their GPs that their lump is growing, we hope that it will help them get referred faster for further tests.”
– Bradley Price, Policy and Public Affairs Manager
“If patients can demonstrate to their GPs that their lump is growing, we hope that it will help them get referred faster for further tests.”
– Bradley Price, Policy and Public Affairs Manager
