The Bone Cancer Research Trust and Sarcoma UK have joined forces to support The National Sarcoma Awareness Project. This initiative is aimed at educating medical students and early years* resident doctors about sarcoma, ensuring they are equipped with the skills to spot these cancers and understand how they are managed for whatever career they may pursue.
Would YOU recognise a SARCOMA?
The Bone Cancer Research Trust and Sarcoma UK are united in their mission to improve the time to diagnosis for sarcoma patients.
Both charities hear all too often of patients seeking medical advice for many months, sometimes years, before receiving an accurate diagnosis, with many bouncing between different healthcare professionals; unfortunately, delayed diagnoses, unplanned excisions, and late presentations are a feature of sarcoma clinical practice.
We know that medical students continue to receive limited education on sarcoma during their degree and have limited exposure to sarcoma patients, which means that our doctors of the future may not understand the red flag symptoms, referral pathways, and how the care of these patients is managed. It also means that new doctors may not choose to specialise in this area of oncology.
The NSAP Project
Now led by Mr Corey Chan (Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust), Ms. Heledd Havard (Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, London), Mr. David Boddie (NHS Grampian), Mr. Ather Siddiqui, and Professor Thomas Cosker (Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust), the National Sarcoma Awareness Project underwent an update in 2024 to promote increased accessibility and participation. Its key goal is to promote awareness and education to improve early diagnosis.
NSAP is open to all UK medical students and early years* resident doctors. The 2026 project is open now until the 30th of September.
History of NSAP
In 2013, with the aim of improving the diagnostic experience for future patients, Bone Cancer Research Trust and Sarcoma UK teamed up with Mr. Coonoor Chandrasekar, a consultant orthopaedic oncology surgeon at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to fund the National Sarcoma Awareness Project (NSAP).
Over the past decade, the award-winning NSAP has grown with more than 2,640 medical students and doctors participating in the educational project, and 66 funded fellowships have been awarded to high-scoring individuals. In 2025, NSAP was recognised in Westminster as part of the ACT NOW for Cancer case studies, highlighting projects making a difference to those affected by rare and less common cancers.
What previous participants say:
How to get involved
Review the following recommended resources:
- Improving outcomes for people with sarcoma
- Bone and soft tissue sarcoma - recognition and referral
- UK Guidelines for the Management of Bone Sarcomas and Soft Tissue Sarcomas
- Sarcoma animation
- Free resources for medical professionals
- Lumps, bumps, and sarcomas BMJ learning module *Please note this is not open access but should be available through your institution.
To complete the questions and submit your answers please Click here
Please spread the word by sharing a digital flyer here.
If you have any issues or questions regarding the NSAP project, please contact [email protected].
*Early years resident doctors include foundation doctors and those in SHO positions. Registrars and doctors who are applying for registrar training posts this calendar year are not eligible.
