The HSE is reminding Irish people of the symptoms you may spot that could be a sign of a rare cancer during its awareness month.
July is Sarcoma Awareness Month – and the HSE has issued information on the symptoms people may experience.
Every year in Ireland, around 235 people are diagnosed with some type of sarcoma.
A sarcoma is a rare cancerous tumour that can affect three parts of the body – bones, cartilage and soft tissue.
In a post on X, the HSE said: “July is sarcoma awareness month. Sarcomas are rare cancerous tumours which affect bone, cartilage or soft tissues.
“About 235 people are diagnosed each year in Ireland with some type of sarcoma.”
Spotting cancer early means that it is less likely to have grown bigger or spread, and may mean that it is easier to treat.
To help the chances of detecting it early, you should know the signs and symptoms and be aware of changes to your body that are new or you cannot explain.
You should then contact your GP so they can check you out and find what is causing these changes.
If your GP thinks it may be cancer, they will refer you to a specialist for more tests.
There are a range of signs and symptoms to keep an eye out for, including:
- a new lump or bump
- a lump or bump that changes in size or look
- bleeding that you cannot explain – from anywhere in your body
- bruising you do not know the cause of
- pain that will not go away and has no clear cause
- pooing more often than usual or constipation
- blood in your pee or peeing more often than usual
- changes on your skin – a new or changing mole
- difficulty chewing, swallowing or moving your tongue
- losing weight without trying or that you cannot explain
- feeling tired all the time – more than is normal for you
- a new, persistent cough or a change to your usual cough
- shortness of breath – more than is normal for you
- night sweats you cannot explain
But it’s important to remember that these are the common symptoms, and having them does not mean you have cancer as they can be caused by other conditions.
If you have symptoms, you should contact your GP and not wait for your next cancer screening appointment.
You should regularly check your body for any new lumps or changes – especially in the breasts, underarms, groin or testicles.
You should contact your GP if you notice:
- a lump that is new
- a lump that is changing in size or appearance
- a lump in your breast or under your arm
- a testicle that feels different or has changed size
- a new cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks
- a cough that has changed or is different to your usual cough
- chest or shoulder pain that does not go away
- shortness of breath more than is normal for you
- blood when you cough
- have chest infections that keep coming back
- have blood in your poo
- have diarrhoea or constipation for no obvious reason.
- Feel you still need to poo after pooing
- have a pain in your stomach or bottom
- feel your tummy is bloated all the time
- have tummy discomfort
- have no appetite or you are full very quickly after eating
- Your poo is loose, pale or looks greasy
- have blood in your pee
- need to pee more often
- feel that you cannot fully empty your bladder
- strain or feel that it is difficult to pee
- often get up in the middle of the night to pee
- have a weaker flow of pee
You may also see changes in your skin, including on moles, freckles or on a patch of skin.
CHANGES IN SKIN
Contact your GP if you have a mole that:
- has an uneven or crooked shape
- is changing shape or appearance
- has an uneven border with jagged edges
- is changing colour or has more than 1 colour – it may have brown, black, red, pink or white flecks or patches
- is bigger than 6mm wide, or is getting bigger
- is itchy, crusting, bleeding or sore
A change in a mole could be a sign of a type of skin-cancer called melanoma, while a lump, unusual patch or crusted area of skin that has not healed is usually the first sign of non-melanoma skin cancer.
Contact your GP if you have any unexplained bleeding, such as:
- blood in your pee or poo
- bleeding from your bottom
- blood when you cough
- blood in your vomit
- vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex
- vaginal bleeding when you are postmenopausal (at least 1 year after your last period)
- bruising you do not know the cause of
You should contact your GP if you have lost weight and either do not know the cause, or did not lose it through dieting or exercising.
You should also contact your GP if you have bloating that does not go away, or you experience indigestion, heartburn or acid reflux.
HIGHER RISK
Other signs include pain anywhere in your stomach or back, itchy or yellow skin or whites of eyes, or feeling tired and unwell but you’re not sure why.
You have a higher risk of getting cancer if:
- you are age 50 and over – but it can happen at any age
- genetic tests show you have inherited specific genes, for example, BRCA or Lynch syndrome
- one or more of your close relatives have had cancer (such as parent, brother, sister or child)
