Bone cancer doesn't always cause symptoms right away. So knowing the signs can help you recognize when something isn't right and when to speak with your doctor.
While bone cancer isn’t as common as other cancers, it impacts many people in Canada. In 2023, more than 300 adults and 30 children were diagnosed with bone cancer across Canada.
Bone cancer may not cause any signs or symptoms in its early stages. Symptoms often only appear once a tumour has grown and caused changes in the body such as pain or a lump.
That's why it’s important to pay attention to changes in your body and know what symptoms to look for. Here are 5 key signs and symptoms you should know.
1. Pain that doesn't go away
The most common sign of bone cancer is pain in a bone or joint that doesn’t go away. It may also get worse with activity or lifting. The pain is often worse at night and may make it hard to sleep.
2. Swelling or a lump
Swelling over a bone is another common sign of bone cancer. This could also be a lump. In children or younger adults, the lump or swelling is often soft and can feel warm.
3. Difficulty moving
If bone cancer develops near a joint, it can make moving that part of the body harder. For example, if there is bone cancer in your leg, you may start limping when you walk.
4. A broken bone
Bone cancer can weaken a bone, making it more likely to break. This is called a pathological fracture.
5. Tingling or numbness
In some cases, bone cancer can cause tingling or numbness in your arm or leg.
Other health conditions can cause these symptoms, but it's important to speak with your doctor if they don't go away.
Kyla’s story
When Kyla was 12 years old, she started experiencing some pain in her legs. After months of discomfort that wouldn’t go away, her mother took her to a clinic.
They told her it was just growing pains.
They said, ‘don’t let her pamper it, but don’t let her walk the long way to school.’ But then the pain consistently got worse to the point I was crawling up the stairs.
Kyla’s stepfather urged her mother to take her to another doctor.
After getting x-rays and more tests, Kyla was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.
“The doctor didn’t use the word cancer. They only said I was sick with osteosarcoma, so of course I didn’t know what that meant. But I saw how upset my mom and stepdad were, so I kind of knew something was going on.”
Kyla started 8 months of treatment, which included 3 different kinds of chemotherapy.
During this time, Kyla was rarely at home. When her platelet levels were low, she needed blood transfusions, and whenever her fever spiked, she was often sent to Victoria General Hospital.
“I wouldn’t say it’s sad, but it’s definitely a reality check when a 12-year-old knows what kind of chemotherapy they’re going through each week. You learn to prepare yourself for the rougher weeks and look forward to the easier ones.”
Because the cancer was in her femur, Kyla had a 6-hour knee replacement as part of her treatment.
Recovery was a long process. While her leg healed, Kyla was unable to join physical activities and spent months rebuilding strength and mobility in her knee.
It took nearly a year before she was able to walk on her own again.
After she had fully recovered, Kyla attended Camp Goodtimes with her younger brother.
At 14 years old, she remembers this experience as one of the few times she could spend time with other children who had also experienced cancer.
Camp Goodtimes was nothing but fun, nothing but laughter. During that week, I didn't have to think about whether the other kids would judge me if they saw the scar on my leg or if my hair was still short.
“I was also still walking with a little bit of a limp at the time, but I didn't have to be insecure in the least. At camp, I felt completely understood.”
Kyla was monitored for the next 7 years, until she turned 21 years old.
As of 2026, she is 22 years cancer-free and grateful for the support from not only her family and friends, but the wider cancer community.
“I want other kids to know they’re not alone. They don't just have their family and friends; they have a community to give them that extra boost to have their own success stories as well. I don't think I'd be here twenty years later without all the support I received.”
Make a difference today
July is Sarcoma and Bone Cancer Awareness month, a time to come together, raise awareness for everyone affected by bone cancer and invest in life-changing research.
Your donation helps fund vital research and provide meaningful support to those with cancer and their families. Together, we can create a brighter future for people affected by bone cancer across Canada.