The Suffolk families trying to save others from sarcoma

Holly Lewis, 29, from Ipswich, noticed pain in her arm while driving in 2020.

Doctors soon after diagnosed her with osteosarcoma – a type of bone sarcoma that most affects the knee, thigh or shin bone or upper arm.

A tumour measuring at around 11cm was found in her armpit and shortly after her initial diagnosis doctors told her it was stage four.

“I think it was because of where the tumour was it was obviously pressing on the nerves that run through your shoulder, down to your elbow, wrists and fingers,” she explained.

“I then got the diagnosis – and I remember the date so clearly – I was diagnosed on 7 January, 2021, 9 days before my 26th birthday.

“When you get told, you get hit with a wave of shock. You can’t even begin to fathom the impact that that has.”

Miss Lewis had four surgeries as well as six rounds of chemotherapy and is now fortunately stable despite the fact the cancer will likely never be cured.

She added she had never heard of sarcoma before she was diagnosed.

“I never thought I’d see the day where I get diagnosed with it,” she said.

“I [think] it is so important to get yourself checked out and not to leave it.”