The 7 warning signs of bone cancer
Bone cancer is a rare but serious condition that starts in the bones, often causing pain and other complications. Though it can affect anyone, it's most common in children and young adults. This World Cancer Day, we've put together everything you need to know about bone cancer – and how to look out for the early warning signs.
Where does bone cancer usually start?
Bone cancer symptoms can vary depending on the size of the cancer and where in the body it is. There are also two types of bone cancer to be aware of – primary and secondary bone cancer.
Primary bone cancer is a rare type of cancer that begins in the bones and around 550 new cases are diagnosed each year in the UK.
Secondary bone cancer is when cancer cells spread to the bone from a primary tumour elsewhere in the bone. Most people who develop secondary bone cancer already know they have a primary cancer and is most commonly developed by people with cancer of the breast, kidney, lung, prostate or thyroid.
Zoe Davison, Director of Research and Support at the Bone Cancer Research Trust (BCRT), told us that "Primary bone cancer is unique in that it can affect anyone, at any age and that is why knowledge of the signs and symptoms is so important – because it could help to save lives.”
How to detect bone cancer early?
Primary bone cancer is very rare. It is much more likely that something else is the cause of the symptoms below, but if you are concerned about any changes in your body you should always consult your GP.
Because the symptoms of bone cancer are similar to other ailments it can be difficult to diagnosed, so it is helpful to be aware of the different types of bone cancer and know their symptoms.
Some of the main types are:
Osteosarcoma, a common type of bone cancer which mostly affects children and adults under the age of 20.
Ewing sarcoma most commonly affects people between the ages of 10 and 20. Young people can be particularly affected because the rapid growth spurts that occur during puberty may cause bone tumours to develop.
Chondrosarcoma tends to affect adults aged over 40.
In most cases, it’s hard to tell exactly why someone develops bone cancer.
You are at greater risk of developing it if you have a condition known as Paget’s disease, but very few people affected by this disease will actually develop bone cancer.
There are also greater risks for those with a rare genetic condition called Li-Fraumeni syndrome, as people with this condition have a faulty version of a gene that normally helps stop the growth of cancerous cells.
What do the early signs of bone cancer feel like?
According to the experts at the BCRT, "one of the red-flag symptoms of primary bone cancer is pain, that may be constant or intermittent, tends to worsen at night, may intensify over time and is typically resistant to painkillers."
But there are other tell-tale signs to look out for.
Persistent bone pain – this might begin as an ache in the affected area that doesn’t go away and continues into the night and is even there when resting. In children, this can sometimes be mistaken for growing pains or sprains. If you have unexplained bone pain, Macmillan Cancer Support suggests that you consult your GP.
Inflammation over a bone – swelling and redness can make movement difficult if the affected bone is near a joint.
A noticeable lump over a bone – you might not see or feel a lump if the affected bone is deep inside the body but it is always worth noting changes.
A weak bone that breaks or fractures more easily than normal
Problems moving around – if the cancer is near a joint then it could lead to reduced movement or limp.
Meanwhile, a tumour in the spine may press on nerves and cause numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms or legs. It could also lead to problems controlling the bladder or bowel. It’s important to contact a doctor straight away to find out the causes of symptoms in your spine and how they need to be managed.
High temperature or tiredness – Ewing sarcoma can also cause tiredness, high temperatures or sweats and even rapid weight loss in some people.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is highly unlikely to be due to bone cancer, but it does require further investigation. So if you are concerned consult your GP.
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