Get involved in the inaugural Bone Cancer Awareness week 2008 and help us to raise awareness of Primary Bone Cancer and also raise vital funds to help us promote and fund research into the causes and treatment of Primary Bone Cancer, in particular osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma

The first Bone Cancer Awareness Week is focusing on delays in diagnosis. BCRT is aiming to raise awareness of the symptoms of bone cancer amongst GPs and the general public. We will also be contacting both national and regional media for coverage of the Awareness Week. Journalists are much more likely to run the story if they are able to speak to somebody who has experienced bone cancer. Case studies can really help the public to understand the issues and, in turn, encourage them to take action.

If you would be willing to share your experiences of bone cancer with the media in your area, please let us know either by email – fundraising@bonecancerresearch.org.uk or phone 0113 2621852. We promise never to give your personal details to any journalist without your permission.

Who is affected by Primary Bone Cancer?

Primary Bone Cancers occur most commonly in children and young people aged between 10 and 20 years. The vast majority of primary bone cancers occur by chance, where no specific causes or predisposing risk factors can be identified. The development of Primary Bone Cancers appears to be in some way related to rapid growth, and therefore generally affects young people. They are more common in boys than girls. However, Primary Bone Cancers don’t just affect children and young people; there are major effects on the lives of families and friends. During Bone Cancer Awareness Week it’s important that information reaches as many people as possible.

Why raise awareness of Bone Cancer?

400 young people are diagnosed every year. Early diagnosis could improve a young person’s chances of being treated successfully; yet primary bone cancer often goes undetected for months or years, being treated as a sports injury or growing pains by both patients and doctors alike. By raising awareness amongst the general population and professionals the chances of early diagnosis will be greatly increased. 5 year survival rates are between 55 and 60% The survival rate for osteosarcoma is 55% at 5 years and 60% for Ewing’s sarcoma. As primary bone cancer is one of the rarer forms of cancer, it does not get the publicity and funding that is generated by other cancers. However, for the 4000 people who will develop these cancers during the next 10 years, research into the causes and treatment of primary bone cancer is vital to improve their chance of a successful outcome, including increased survival rates and improve quality of life for survivors.

Bone cancers take longer to diagnose than any other type of cancer in young people

• About half of young people with bone cancer say that they went to their doctor 4 or 5 times over several months before being referred for further investigation.
• On average it takes more than 5 months from 1st symptom to diagnosis for Ewing’s sarcoma and more than 3 months for osteosarcoma.
• Research shows that most delays occur after young people seek medical advice. The delays that occur are more commonly because professionals don't ask for the right investigations.
• In the UK, young people with Ewing's sarcoma are more likely to have bigger tumours or cancer that has spread, than those diagnosed in France or Germany.

What you can do:

• Inform as many people as possible about primary bone cancer; who it affects, how it is treated, what support is available to patients and families
• Raise awareness about primary bone cancer; tell us your story so that we can contact the media and raise more awareness about this disease and how it affects young people
• Raise money to help us to promote and fund all types of research to improve treatment, improve diagnosis and save lives.

How you can do it:

• Display one of our awareness week posters (click here) in your workplace, gym, library, supermarket, school, shops etc
• Display or handout our information leaflets or newsletters at your workplace, gym, library etc.
• Organise a fundraising event in your local area, a quiz or raffle at your workplace local pub, group or club, rotary or freemasons, a sponsored swim or spinning class at the gym or anything that you want to do to raise money and awareness during Bone Cancer Awareness Week
• Complete one of our Press Release forms so that we can write a press release for your local media and raise awareness by generating publicity throughout the UK and Ireland

What’s Happening in Awareness Week:

For details of all the events taking place around the country please click here

If you would like any Awareness Week materials posters, cars stickers, a Fundraising Guide, a PR form, sponsor forms, or any other fundraising materials to help you please email: fundraising@bonecancerresearch.org.uk Or telephone 0113 2621852.