Sarcoma Awareness Month 2025: Know. Act. Advocate.

Every July, we observe Sarcoma Awareness Month—a time to reflect, educate, and raise awareness about one of the least understood cancers in clinical practice. As someone who works closely with patients affected by bone and soft tissue tumours, I believe this year’s theme, “KNOW. ACT. ADVOCATE.”, couldn’t be more relevant. Sarcoma’s rarity and complexity often result in delayed diagnosis, missed warning signs, and limited public dialogue. My hope this month is to shift that reality by helping people know the signs, act without hesitation, and advocate for timely, expert care.

KNOW: Awareness Starts with Understanding

Sarcomas are rare cancers that arise in bones and soft tissues such as muscles, fat, blood vessels, and nerves. They make up about 1% of adult cancers and nearly 15% of all childhood cancers—small percentages, but with a disproportionate impact due to diagnostic delays and limited treatment options in some settings. The challenge lies in their subtle presentation. A painless, gradually enlarging lump or persistent swelling near a joint is often dismissed as a sports injury or benign growth. Knowing the early signs and when to seek medical advice is crucial. That’s the first step toward better outcomes.

ACT: Early Diagnosis Saves Limbs—and Lives

When it comes to sarcoma, early action can be lifesaving. The sooner a lump or abnormal symptom is investigated, the better the chances for a cure with minimal functional loss. Unfortunately, I often meet patients whose tumors have progressed significantly before reaching us. Data suggests that nearly 40% of sarcomas are diagnosed at an advanced stage—limiting treatment options and leading to more complex surgeries. Acting promptly means seeking expert advice when symptoms persist beyond a few weeks or worsen over time. It also means primary care doctors and physiotherapists keeping sarcoma in mind when conservative treatments don’t work as expected.

ADVOCATE: Treatment Needs a Team—and a Voice

The third and most powerful word in this year’s theme is “advocate.” In my practice, I strongly believe that sarcoma care should be centralized, personalized, and team-driven. These tumors are best treated at specialized centers with access to orthopaedic oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and reconstructive surgeons. The surgical aspect, especially in limb-sparing procedures, requires meticulous planning. Studies have shown that patients treated in multidisciplinary sarcoma units have improved survival and function. But beyond clinical care, we need to advocate for stronger awareness campaigns, more accessible resources, and research funding to support ongoing innovation.

A Community Effort—Not Just a Month

Sarcoma isn’t just a medical term—it’s a life-changing diagnosis for thousands of families every year. Globally, over 13,000 new sarcoma cases are diagnosed annually, and yet public awareness remains disproportionately low. As doctors, we can do more by educating patients and colleagues. As a society, we must amplify survivor voices, support those in treatment, and create a space for open conversations about rare cancers. Sarcoma Awareness Month reminds us that even rare diseases deserve mainstream attention—and that change begins with all of us knowing more, acting sooner, and advocating louder.

This July, let’s make “KNOW. ACT. ADVOCATE.” more than just a tagline. Let’s turn it into action. If you notice an unusual lump, persistent joint pain, or swelling that doesn’t go away, don’t ignore it. Consult a specialist—because sarcomas don’t wait. And if you’re a healthcare provider, keep sarcoma on your radar when symptoms don’t add up. We can’t prevent all cancers, but we can certainly beat many of them by being alert, informed, and proactive.

One may wish to learn more about this topic by watching the reels that have been made around this subject. I would encourage my readers to visit my Instagram channel & watch the educational content that has been tailored to create awareness around this topic. Link is here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DMIEECbPtE0/

Let’s use this Sarcoma Awareness Month to change the way we see rare cancers—by knowing the facts, acting quickly, and advocating for every life touched by sarcoma.