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112: Mandy Basson is an advocate for those diagnosed with all types of sarcoma | Ewing’s Sarcoma
Sarcoma is a cancer that originates as a tumor in bones and soft tissues. It can be spotted in ligaments, muscle, fat and skin, as well as in bones. Mandy Basson says there are approximately 175 sub-types of sarcoma. Some are benign, some intermediate, but those that are malignant that in most cases, are particularly aggressive.
Mandy’s daughter, Abbie, was 17 in 2009 when she was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma. At first, she felt uncomfortable from back pain, then woke up one night when the pain became extreme. She took herself to her general practitioner. After undergoing a CT scan, and its results were known, Abbie was asked to return immediately for a surgical procedure. Following the surgery, Abbie learned she had Stage IV metastatic bone sarcoma, also known as Ewing’s Sarcoma. There was a four-week gap between diagnosis and when she began treatment. By that time, the cancer had spread all over her body.
Sarcoma is generally thought as a young person’s disease, and as such, Mandy deals with lots of young people. She emphasizes to them that as soon as they sense something wrong to get to a doctor. This, says Mandy, is not always easy to accomplish because so many young people feel a sense of invincibility and are hesitant to be seen by a doctor.
Mandy Basson says Sock It To Sarcoma was inspired by Abbie, and that she, Mandy, is merely carrying forward Mandy’s idea. Research regarding sarcoma doesn’t get anywhere near the funding that other, more high-profile cancers get; as such, Sock It To Sarcoma was initially established to gain funding for sarcoma-related research. Since its inception, the organization has expanded its scope. It has various support groups and a monthly on-line chat for those diagnosed with sarcoma. The chat’s participants come from all over the world.
By way of advice, Mandy says when seeking a care team to make sure to locate one that specializes in sarcoma. She says too many times those diagnosed with sarcoma have gone to a non-specialist and that the tumor has not been treated in the best possible way. She also says to anyone facing a sarcoma diagnosis to take each day one at a time.
Additional Resources:
Support Group:
Sock It To Sarcoma; https://www.sockittosarcoma.org
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By Jim Foster
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Sarcoma is a cancer that originates as a tumor in bones and soft tissues. It can be spotted in ligaments, muscle, fat and skin, as well as in bones. Mandy Basson says there are approximately 175 sub-types of sarcoma. Some are benign, some intermediate, but those that are malignant that in most cases, are particularly aggressive.
Mandy’s daughter, Abbie, was 17 in 2009 when she was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma. At first, she felt uncomfortable from back pain, then woke up one night when the pain became extreme. She took herself to her general practitioner. After undergoing a CT scan, and its results were known, Abbie was asked to return immediately for a surgical procedure. Following the surgery, Abbie learned she had Stage IV metastatic bone sarcoma, also known as Ewing’s Sarcoma. There was a four-week gap between diagnosis and when she began treatment. By that time, the cancer had spread all over her body.
Sarcoma is generally thought as a young person’s disease, and as such, Mandy deals with lots of young people. She emphasizes to them that as soon as they sense something wrong to get to a doctor. This, says Mandy, is not always easy to accomplish because so many young people feel a sense of invincibility and are hesitant to be seen by a doctor.
Mandy Basson says Sock It To Sarcoma was inspired by Abbie, and that she, Mandy, is merely carrying forward Mandy’s idea. Research regarding sarcoma doesn’t get anywhere near the funding that other, more high-profile cancers get; as such, Sock It To Sarcoma was initially established to gain funding for sarcoma-related research. Since its inception, the organization has expanded its scope. It has various support groups and a monthly on-line chat for those diagnosed with sarcoma. The chat’s participants come from all over the world.
By way of advice, Mandy says when seeking a care team to make sure to locate one that specializes in sarcoma. She says too many times those diagnosed with sarcoma have gone to a non-specialist and that the tumor has not been treated in the best possible way. She also says to anyone facing a sarcoma diagnosis to take each day one at a time.
Additional Resources:
Support Group:
Sock It To Sarcoma; https://www.sockittosarcoma.org