July is Sarcoma and Bone Cancer Awareness Month, a time to spotlight two rare but serious cancers that can affect people of any age. Sarcomas are cancers that start in the body’s connective tissues, such as muscles, nerves, fat, or bones. Soft tissue sarcomas are more common in adults over the age of 55, while about one in four bone cancer cases are found in people under 20. In 2025, the U.S. is expected to see over 17,000 new cases of these cancers combined, with thousands of lives lost.
Sarcoma symptoms can be subtle at first. A painless lump that grows over time is one of the most common signs. Other symptoms include swelling, bone pain, especially at night, stomach discomfort, poor appetite, or blood in stool or vomit. Because these symptoms can resemble other conditions, it’s important not to ignore any unusual changes in your body.
Doctors don’t fully understand what causes sarcoma, but some risk factors are known. These include certain inherited conditions (like Li-Fraumeni syndrome), past radiation treatment, long-term swelling (lymphedema), and exposure to chemicals like vinyl chloride. While injuries don’t cause sarcoma, they sometimes lead to its discovery through scans or x-rays.
Treatment often starts with surgery and may include chemotherapy or radiation, depending on the case. Early diagnosis is key; specialist centers like UMC El Paso are equipped to provide expert preventive care. Raising awareness and supporting research is essential to catching these cancers early and improving survival rates, which are currently about 66–68% in the U.S.
Prevention is not only more cost-effective than treatment, it is also a cornerstone of health equity. That’s why UMC El Paso is expanding access to early screenings and leading the effort to build El Paso’s first Comprehensive Cancer Center. By bringing life-saving care directly to the community, UMC is helping to close critical gaps in cancer services.
Visit the UMC website to explore available services, find a nearby clinic, or learn more about the future of cancer care in El Paso.
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