Inspiring Story of a Sarcoma Survivor: How Stephanie Webster Overcame the Odds

Advocates and survivors of a rare group of cancers known as sarcoma are calling for increased funding for clinical trials. Sarcoma is a group of more than 80 different types of cancers that can develop in any part of the body and affect people of any age. Stephanie Webster, a survivor of osteosarcoma, shared her experience and emphasized the need for improved treatment options.

Webster first noticed something was wrong while she was on a run. She felt a sharp pain in her hip and initially thought it was a minor injury from running. However, she was shocked when her GP informed her that she had osteosarcoma, a rare form of sarcoma.

Osteosarcoma can develop in bones or muscles and can affect individuals of any age. Webster, who was a medical student at the time, had studied cancer types but had no in-depth perspective on sarcoma until she experienced it firsthand. She underwent CT and MRI scans and a biopsy, and after six weeks of waiting, she received her diagnosis.

After starting treatment, Webster discovered that the cancer had spread. In 2018, she was given a prognosis of less than five months to live and was told she would not make it to her sister’s wedding. However, she refused to give up and sought alternative treatment options. With the support of her family and community, she self-funded a targeted immunotherapy treatment typically used for melanoma or lung cancer. The treatment, Pembrolizumab, was not indicated for her type of cancer but yielded positive results. Today, Webster’s scans are clear, and she has no evidence of disease.

Sarcoma is a rare cancer in Australia, with approximately 1,600 Australians diagnosed with a soft-tissue sarcoma each year. It is the deadliest cancer for young adults aged 30 and under, accounting for 20% of all cancers in children and 10% in the adolescent and young adult age group. The rarity of sarcoma makes it challenging to raise awareness and determine best practices for treatment.

The Australia and New Zealand Sarcoma Association (ANZSA) aims to raise funds for clinical trials to improve treatment options for sarcoma patients. Sarcoma Awareness month is marked annually in July, and ANZSA CEO Dr. Denise Caruso emphasizes the importance of raising enough money to move novel therapeutics into clinical trials.

Despite advancements in cancer treatment, the standard treatment for sarcoma, including osteosarcoma, has remained unchanged for decades. Webster, now a third-year doctor, is determined to pursue a career in oncology and advocates for increased funding for research to improve patient outcomes and survival rates, which currently stand at 70%.

Sarcoma is a challenging diagnosis, and Webster hopes that individuals going through sarcoma treatment receive the necessary resources and support. Increased funding for clinical trials and research is crucial to developing improved treatment options for this rare group of cancers.

What are the challenges faced by sarcoma patients in finding effective treatment options?

Spread to her lungs, requiring more aggressive treatment. She underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. It was a long and difficult journey, but Webster fought through it and is now in remission.

However, Webster is well aware that her story is not the norm for sarcoma patients. Many others are not as fortunate and struggle to find effective treatment options. That is why she, along with other advocates and survivors, is calling for increased funding for clinical trials.

Clinical trials are crucial for developing new and improved treatments for sarcoma. They allow researchers to test new drugs or therapies in a controlled environment and measure their effectiveness. However, funding for sarcoma clinical trials is often limited, leading to a lack of options for patients.

Advocates and survivors argue that increased funding for clinical trials would not only provide hope for current sarcoma patients but also contribute to future advancements in sarcoma treatment. They believe that with more resources, researchers can uncover new treatment options, improve survival rates, and ultimately find a cure for sarcoma.

While sarcoma is considered rare, affecting only a small percentage of cancer patients, it is important to remember that every life is valuable. By advocating for increased funding, advocates and survivors are fighting for a brighter future for all sarcoma patients.

Webster and others are urging policymakers, medical professionals, and the public to support and prioritize sarcoma research. They believe that investing in sarcoma clinical trials is a crucial step towards improving outcomes for sarcoma patients and ultimately finding a cure.

Increased funding for clinical trials would not only benefit current sarcoma patients, but it would also provide hope for future generations. It would give researchers the resources they need to develop innovative treatments and advance our knowledge of this complex group of cancers.

Sarcoma affects people of all ages and can be devastating. By advocating for increased funding for clinical trials, advocates and survivors are standing up for those who are currently battling sarcoma and those who may face it in the future.

It is time for policymakers and the medical community to recognize the urgent need for improved sarcoma treatments. By investing in clinical trials, we can make a real difference in the lives of sarcoma patients and move closer to a cure for this rare and often overlooked group of cancers.