BANGOR man Ronnie Patton is sharing his experience of having a rare form of cancer so that others might identify the symptoms early.
Sarcomas can affect people of all ages and can arise in various parts of the body, including muscles, bones, tendons, blood vessels and fatty tissues.
In the UK, approximately 5,300 people are diagnosed with sarcoma each year, with around 120 of these cases occurring in Northern Ireland.
Ronnie’s first indication that anything was wrong was discovering a lump on his buttock whilst showering.
His GP referred him for tests at the Ulster Hospital in July 2023, which showed that he had sarcoma.
Following additional tests and scans Ronnie was advised that the tumour had reached a considerable size and that he would need major surgery at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham.
Initially he was optimistic.“For me, the good news out of all of this was that the tumour would hopefully respond to surgery and I would not require chemotherapy.
“We met with the consultant in the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham who explained to me how he was going to carry out the operation.
“We came away from that meeting feeling very confident that he could remove the sarcoma without damaging the leg.
“However, this turned out not to be possible as the tumour had grown quite aggressively.”
In an effort to combat the disease Ronnie had part of his pelvis and left leg removed during the operation, in November 2023.
Ronnie has been recuperating since then and adapting to a new way of living.
He explains: “I was told the surgery would be life-changing, but at the time, I did not understand what that actually meant.
“I am now in a wheelchair and I am not as independent as I used to be. I rely on other people more than ever now.”
However, with July marking Sarcoma Awareness Month, Ronnie wanted to tell his own story to shed light on the challenges faced by sarcoma patients and the crucial need for increased awareness.
“Early detection is crucial,” he says. “Before I was diagnosed with sarcoma, I had never heard of the term and I did not know what it actually was.
“It is about making people aware of the symptoms.”
Ronnie remains resilient in the aftermath of the disease and says it is important for him to maintain as normal a life as possible.
“The sarcoma team in the Ulster Hospital have been amazing. They brought me through my diagnosis step by step and explained that everyone’s diagnosis is different,” he says.
“The big step forward for me was when I was told I was clear from the cancer and they would see me in six months for another check-up.
“I want people to understand that sarcoma can happen to anyone, at any age.
“Early detection is crucial, and I hope my story encourages others to seek medical advice if they notice unusual symptoms.”
South Eastern Trust sarcoma clinical nurse specialists, Gemma Bowman and Jill Kennedy highlighted the importance of early diagnosis.
The said: “This is something we feel passionately about. Many of our patients experience a lengthy and delayed diagnostic process, to be able to shorten this would be amazing.
“We can help to do this by offering support and education to GPs and other primary care professionals to improve symptom recognition. This could lead to improving the patient’s overall outcome.”
Sarcomas are rare cancers that develop in connective tissues. There are two main types – bone sarcomas and soft tissue sarcomas.
Symptoms may include a lump or swelling, unexplained pain, or difficulty with movement.
Given their rarity, awareness and education about sarcomas are crucial for early diagnosis and effective treatment.
You can access further advice and support by visiting: https://sarcoma.org.uk
For support groups and patient events in NI visit: www.theboomfoundation.co.uk
