A MALTON woman whose husband died from bone cancer has given an insight into the disease to physiotherapists.

Ann Young attended a monthly meeting at Malton Hospital to help staff recognise the signs of primary bone cancer.

She became a volunteer for the Bone Cancer Research Trust (BCRT) after her husband John died from the disease in 2010.

The visit formed part of a series of awareness initiatives supported by the Leeds-based charity as part of Bone Cancer Awareness Week.

Each year in the UK and Ireland about 600 new cases of primary bone cancer are diagnosed and about 300 people die from these cancers.

During her meeting with the physiotherapy team, Ann highlighted the most common "Red Flag" symptoms of primary bone cancers.

Ann said: “Primary bone tumours are rare but highly malignant tumours that can occur in anyone. Making the diagnosis promptly and getting patients to the right place for treatment are critically important if we are to improve outcomes for those affected.”

Symptoms include bone pain, which may come and go at first then become more persistent and intense - especially at night.

Primary bone cancer has a peak incidence between the ages of 10 and 24 and can be mistaken for a sports injury or growing pains.

Emily Dervey, physiotherapy team manager, said: “I think it’s been a really informative and useful session that has raised our awareness of the importance of our questioning in aiding early diagnosis.”

For more information, visit bcrt.org.uk