Bexley daughter keen to raise awareness of rare cancer that claimed life of her dad

A Bexley woman who lost her father to the cancer sarcoma has been to the House of Commons to talk about the disease and the need to raise awareness of it. 

The event was staged by Sarcoma UK, the national bone and soft tissue cancer charity. 

Lauren Phillips, 27, of Bexley Road, Eltham, was asked to share her experiences about her dad, Terry, who died in 2019, less than two months after his diagnosis. He was 47. 

She wants to convey the vital importance of early diagnosis. 

“My dad had been experiencing pain in his left knee and a lump that was increasing in size in late 2018,” she said. “He went to various doctors and was told it was a torn tendon or a ball of blood trapped underneath the knee. 

“By early 2019, he was struggling to walk and drive and was limping. It wasn’t getting better or going away. It wasn’t until March that a doctor referred him for a biopsy. When the biopsy came back, he was told it was sarcoma. None of us had ever heard of it. 

“The doctor told him at the time that he could not give him a timeline on how long he might have left, as there was not enough research into sarcoma to know how things work.   

“This isn’t good enough, and needs to change. I hope the MPs in attendance help us by doing all they can to help Sarcoma UK raise funding and awareness of this disease.” 

Sarcomas are uncommon cancers that can affect any part of the body, but are usually soft tissue or bone cancers. They are very rare, making up less than two per cent of all cancers diagnosed in the UK.

Last week’s event was attended by MPs from across the country and representatives from Sarcoma UK, including public affairs manager Bradley Price.

Mr Price said: “Despite 15 people in the UK being diagnosed with sarcoma every day, only 25 per cent of the population know what it is, with even fewer people recognising its signs and symptoms. 

“We are so grateful to Lauren for sharing her and her dad’s experiences, to help boost public awareness and put early diagnosis on the agenda.” 

For more information about sarcoma, such as signs and symptoms, support, please visit sarcoma.org.uk. 

For information and support, you can phone 0808 801 0401, or email: supportline@sarcoma.org.uk 

Pictured top: Lauren speaking at the House of Commons event (Picture: Sarcoma UK)