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If you’ve never heard of sarcoma, you’re not alone. It’s one of the lesser-known cancers, affecting connective tissues like bone, muscle, fat, and nerves. But that doesn’t mean it’s any less serious. July is
Sarcoma Awareness Month, a time to recognize the impact of this rare cancer and the challenges that come with it.
At BrightStar Care of Passaic and Western Bergen Counties, we know that behind every sarcoma diagnosis is a real person. Someone navigating doctor’s appointments, treatment plans, and the physical and emotional weight of cancer. Whether you’re in Wayne, Glen Rock, Clifton, Ridgewood, Fair Lawn, or nearby communities, understanding sarcoma can help you support someone you love, or prepare for the unexpected.
What Exactly Is Sarcoma?
Sarcoma is a group of cancers that start in the body’s connective tissues. There are two main categories: soft tissue sarcoma and bone sarcoma. Together, they account for less than 1% of all adult cancers. That might sound like good news, but it also means that many healthcare providers see these cases infrequently, which can delay diagnosis.
Sarcoma symptoms vary depending on the type and location, but common signs include:
- A painless lump that gets bigger over time
- Swelling in a limb or joint
- Pain that doesn’t go away
- Trouble with mobility or balance if the tumor is near nerves or muscles
Because these symptoms can easily be mistaken for something less serious, people may not get diagnosed until the cancer has progressed. That makes awareness incredibly important—not just in hospitals, but in everyday conversations.
Why Sarcoma Awareness Month Matters
This month is about more than just statistics. It’s about shining a light on a group of cancers that often get overlooked. Sarcoma can affect people of any age, including children and young adults. The American Cancer Society estimates that around 13,500 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with soft tissue sarcomas in 2024. And while that number is small compared to more common cancers, the impact on each individual and their family is significant.
Here in North Jersey, we’re lucky to have access to world-class cancer care through hospitals and treatment centers in Montville, Mahwah, and Clifton. But the reality is, most healing happens at home—between treatments, after surgeries, or during recovery. That’s where quality home care becomes part of the care plan.
Life After the Diagnosis
Cancer treatment often involves surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. All of those take a toll, physically and emotionally. People recovering from sarcoma may need help with mobility, wound care, medication, and emotional support. Families often take on this care themselves, but it’s not easy to juggle that with work, kids, or their own health challenges.
That’s where we come in.
How BrightStar Care of Passaic and Western Bergen Counties Supports Cancer Patients
At BrightStar Care, we provide professional in-home care for individuals facing complex health challenges like sarcoma. Our goal is to make sure patients are safe, comfortable, and supported not just during treatment, but throughout recovery.
Here’s what we offer:
- Skilled nursing care to manage post-surgical needs, wound dressing, and medication support
- Personal care services like bathing, dressing, toileting, and meal prep
- Companion care to ease the emotional toll and provide meaningful connection
- RN oversight on every care plan to ensure consistency, safety, and adaptability
- Flexible care schedules available 24/7, including overnight support
Our team is local. We live and work in the same communities we serve—from Wayne to Hackensack, from Paramus to Fair Lawn. That means we understand the rhythm of life here, and we’re ready when you need us.
Supporting the Whole Family
A cancer diagnosis doesn’t just affect the person receiving it. It touches spouses, siblings, kids, friends, neighbors. Our job is to help reduce the weight that families carry. Sometimes that means hands-on medical care. Other times it’s making sure someone’s eating well, has clean sheets, or just has someone nearby who understands what they’re going through.
We’re here for all of it.
Sarcoma may be rare, but the need for support is not. This Sarcoma Awareness Month, we honor those living with this diagnosis and the families walking beside them. Whether you’re at the beginning of your journey or deep in the day-to-day of caregiving, know that help is available, close to home.
If you or someone you love in Passaic or Western Bergen Counties needs extra support after a sarcoma diagnosis or during cancer treatment, reach out. At BrightStar Care, we’re proud to provide care that’s compassionate, clinical, and rooted in your community.
BrightStar Care® is Here to Help
At BrightStar Care® of Passaic and Western Bergen Counties, we offer a wide range of home care and medical staffing services that enrich the quality of life for those who need care from the comfort of their home. We strive to provide the full continuum of care to our community while keeping our focus on offering a higher standard of care. Offering unparalleled support for our local healthcare system while providing a variety of high-quality, compassionate care, we work to give our clients the best lives possible while also strengthening the broader community. Contact us through our website or call 973.321.7413, so that we can help you find the right support to fit your unique needs.