Doctors urged to spot signs of bone cancer quickly

A charity is calling on GPs to ensure they do not miss cases of bone cancer after a report showed survival rates have not improved in 25 years. The Bone Cancer Research Trust (BCRT) said symptoms include painful bones or swollen joints which GPs can easily misdiagnose as a sporting injury or “growing pains”. Bone cancer is very rare, with just 531 new cases in the UK in 2010. However, it is an aggressive form of cancer which often leaves survivors with life-changing disabilities. Patients have around a 54% chance of surviving five years after diagnosis, according to figures.