As part of Ethnic Minority Cancer Awareness Month (EMCAM) which also takes place in July, the British newsweekly, Asian Voice included an article focused on sarcoma.
Featuring Geeta Patel’s story, it highlighted the challenges she faced with a sarcoma diagnosis and her dedication to raising awareness of this type of cancer.
Speaking to Asian Voice, Dr CR Chandrasekar, a Consultant Orthopaedic Oncology Surgeon at Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust said, ‘It is unsurprising to read in the press about delayed or missed cancer diagnoses, especially with rare cancers like sarcomas.’
He added that, ‘the main difficulty in ensuring the correct identification of sarcomas arises from the lack of relevant information provided during medical training. Unfortunately, because of the rarity of sarcomas, education about them is unlikely to become a part of the undergraduate medical curriculum. This may mean many doctors qualify with little or no knowledge of sarcomas and will subsequently be unable to correctly identify them and recommend the necessary treatment. As the saying goes: what the mind does not know, the eye cannot see.’
Dr CR Chandrasekar also highlighted the importance of seeking medical advice if someone notices strange swellings.
If you would like to talk to someone, you can contact our Support Line on 0808 801 0401,supportline@sarcoma.org.uk or text 07860 058830
