Sarcoma Facts, How to Spot Sarcoma, and Sarcoma Resources

July is Sarcoma Awareness Month! You're probably reading this blog because you're a follower of Move For Jenn, have turned to the internet to learn more about sarcoma, or someone you love has sent you this in order to help spread awareness of sarcoma.

What is sarcoma?

According to the Mayo Clinic, "Sarcoma is the general term for a broad group of cancers that begin in the bones and in the soft (also called connective) tissues (soft tissue sarcoma). Soft tissue sarcoma forms in the tissues that connect, support and surround other body structures. This includes muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves, tendons and the lining of your joints.

There are more than 70 types of sarcoma. Treatment for sarcoma varies depending on sarcoma type, location, and other factors."

According to the American Cancer Society, "When the word sarcoma is part of the name of a disease, it means the tumor is malignant (cancer). A sarcoma is a type of cancer that starts in tissues like bone or muscle. Bone and soft tissue sarcomas are the main types of sarcoma. Soft tissue sarcomas can develop in soft tissues like fat, muscle, nerves, fibrous tissues, blood vessels, or deep skin tissues. They can be found in any part of the body. Most of them start in the arms or legs. They can also be found in the trunk, head and neck area, internal organs, and the area in back of the abdominal (belly) cavity (known as the retroperitoneum). Sarcomas are not common tumors."

Sarcoma Symptoms

The Mayo Clinic states that "signs and symptoms of sarcoma include:

• A lump that can be felt through the skin that may or may not be painful

• Bone pain

• A broken bone that happens unexpectedly, such as with a minor injury or no injury at all

• Abdominal pain

• Weight loss"

Sarcoma is often called the "forgotten cancer" because of its rarity. Because of this and because sarcoma symptoms are common symptoms of many other illnesses, getting a second, third, fourth, etc., opinion from doctors who have a history with treating sarcoma is encouraged.

For more information and resources, visit our Sarcoma Resources page. Have you found a bump? Check out our blog, "5 Tips: I Found a Lump on my Body, Should I Worry?"

If you have recently been diagnosed, our advocacy team is here to support you. Learn more about our advocacy program on our advocacy page. Also, visit our Sarcoma Warriors page to hear from warriors around the world.

Sarcoma Statistics

• 15-20% of all childhood cancers are sarcomas

• 13,000 new sarcoma cases are diagnosed each year

• 5,000 people die each year from sarcoma

Are you new to the Move For Jenn family?

Jenn, an active young mother of two, was diagnosed with sarcoma after a nail tech found a pea-sized nodule on her foot during a pedicure. After two misdiagnoses and surgery to remove the nodule that eventually grew into a golf ball sized mass, Jenn learned that she actually had cancer. Read the full story here.