New tool to check for potential rare cancer symptoms backed by MPs

The tool will give them information and pictures to show their GP, enhancing their chances of referral for further tests where necessary and, ultimately, speeding up potential diagnosis.

The video features advice from a sarcoma specialist surgeon who gives expert guidance on how to measure, track and record changes to any lumps. It is important to remember most lumps and pains are not sarcomas.

Sarcomas are uncommon cancers that can affect any part of the body, on the inside or outside, including the muscle, bone, tendons, blood vessels and fatty tissues. Fifteen people are diagnosed with sarcoma every day in the UK – about 5,300 people a year.

Sarcoma UK is the only cancer charity in the UK focusing on all types of sarcoma.

The charity says it regularly hears from patients and supporters about the need for faster diagnosis of sarcomas.

One of the symptoms of sarcoma is a growing lump, and before referral to an expert, visible lumps can change significantly.

It is not uncommon for patients to see multiple different healthcare professionals, who may not record this. And with no standard way of measuring lumps and bumps, any measurements recorded by professionals may not be consistent.

“Despite 15 people in the UK being diagnosed with sarcoma every day, only 25% of the population know what sarcoma is, with even fewer people recognising its signs and symptoms,” says Bradley Price, Sarcoma UK’s Policy and Public Affairs Manager.

“The greater awareness we have of sarcoma, and the importance of early diagnosis, the more chance we have of being able to help people when it will really make a difference.”

The resource is a positive contribution to the charity’s ongoing work on early diagnosis, says Bradley.

“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.”

The new guidance has already been backed by MPs.

Marion Fellows, MP for Motherwell and Wishaw, lost her husband George to sarcoma in 2018.

She has since been at the forefront of raising awareness of the disease both in parliament and through collaborating with Sarcoma UK. Over the past few years, Marion has become a key figure in the sarcoma community.

“Sarcoma is one of those things that, unless you are affected by it, you can go through life knowing nothing about it,” says Marion.

“I welcome Sarcoma UK’s new resource to help patients self-advocate, as well as the charity’s wider work on early diagnosis. All patients deserve the best chance at beating cancer.”

The tool has also been backed by Caroline Dinenage, MP for Gosport, who promoted this on social media after her constituent, Nick Humber, lost his wife Jane to sarcoma in October 2022.

Ms Dinenage also previously led the first ever parliamentary debate on childhood cancers after another of her constituents, Charlotte Fairall, lost her 10-year-old daughter Sophie to sarcoma in 2021. Sadly, sarcoma is the third most common cancer in children.

“I’m proud to work with Sarcoma UK to help spread awareness of the signs and symptoms of this cancer” says Ms Dinenage.

“Sarcoma has sadly affected a number of my constituents, and ensuring people are equipped with the right tools to ensure an early diagnosis is key to improving survival rates.”

‘Measuring and tracking lumps’ is part of a wider set of initiatives at Sarcoma UK on early diagnosis, which are guided by Sarcoma UK’s Early Diagnosis Expert Steering Group of healthcare professionals, patients, and carers.