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Understanding Sarcoma
Can I lower my risk of Sarcoma? Screening and prevention
Last updated and reviewed on May 27, 2026.
The honest answer is that for most people, there is no guaranteed way to prevent sarcoma. Unlike some cancers, such as lung cancer, where quitting smoking dramatically reduces risk, sarcoma does not have one major lifestyle risk factor that most people can easily change. Most sarcomas happen without any clear cause.
However, there are some steps you can take to lower your risk as much as possible, and there are important actions for people who know they carry genetic risk factors.
Avoid Known Chemical Exposures
A small number of chemicals have been linked to a higher risk of certain sarcomas. If your job involves working with industrial chemicals, following workplace safety rules can protect you:
-
If you work with vinyl chloride (used to make PVC plastics), follow all safety guidelines. Occupational exposure to this chemical has been linked to angiosarcoma of the liver.
-
If you work with arsenic in pesticides, wood treatments, or industrial processes, use proper protective equipment (gloves, masks, ventilation).
Follow all workplace regulations set by agencies like OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) that are designed to protect workers from dangerous chemical exposures.
For most people, everyday environmental exposures to these chemicals are not a concern. The risk is primarily for people with heavy, repeated occupational exposure over many years.
Know Your Family History and Consider Genetic Counseling
If you have a close family member (parent, sibling, or child) who was diagnosed with sarcoma, especially at a young age, or if your family has a history of several different cancers, it may be worth talking to a genetic counselor. A genetic counselor can help you understand whether your family history suggests an inherited condition that raises your sarcoma risk, such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1, or other hereditary conditions.
If genetic testing shows you carry a mutation that increases cancer risk, your doctors can set up a plan for regular monitoring (surveillance) to catch any cancer as early as possible. This does not prevent cancer, but it can help find it at an earlier and more treatable stage.
Be Aware After Radiation Therapy
If you have previously received radiation therapy to treat another cancer, let your doctors know. Although radiation-induced sarcoma is rare, your healthcare team should be aware of your history so they can take any new symptoms seriously and investigate them appropriately. Do not avoid radiation therapy if your doctors recommend it for a current cancer; the benefit almost always far outweighs the small risk of a future radiation-related sarcoma.
Manage Lymphedema
If you have lymphedema (persistent swelling in an arm or leg, often after cancer treatment), work with your healthcare team to manage it. Long-standing lymphedema is a risk factor for a rare type of sarcoma called angiosarcoma. Regular follow-up, proper compression therapy, and prompt reporting of any new skin changes or firm lumps can help with early detection if a problem develops.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
While there is no strong evidence that diet, exercise, or weight specifically prevents sarcoma, a healthy lifestyle is good for your overall health and can reduce your risk of many diseases, including other cancers. The American Cancer Society recommends:
-
Staying at a healthy weight
-
Being physically active
-
Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Limiting alcohol
These habits may not directly lower sarcoma risk, but they support your overall health and may help your body respond better to treatment if you ever do develop cancer.
Know Your Body
Being aware of your body and reporting any new, growing, or persistent lumps or pain to a doctor is one of the best things you can do. Sarcoma that is caught early, when it is still small and has not spread, is generally much easier to treat than advanced sarcoma. There is currently no routine screening test for sarcoma for the general population, so paying attention to changes in your body and seeking medical attention when something seems wrong is especially important.
|
Special Guidance for People with Known Genetic Syndromes: If you have been diagnosed with a hereditary condition that raises your sarcoma risk, such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome or neurofibromatosis type 1, your medical team will likely recommend a personalized surveillance plan. This might include regular MRI scans to check for new tumors, clinical exams, and careful monitoring of any symptoms. These programs are offered at specialized cancer genetics centers and can give people with hereditary risk the best chance of catching any cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage. |
A Word of Reassurance
It is important to remember that even with known risk factors, most people do not develop sarcoma. And most people who are diagnosed with sarcoma have no identifiable risk factors at all. If you are worried about your risk, the best step is to talk openly with your doctor. Together, you can review your personal history and decide whether any specific steps are right for you.
|
What’s Next: The next page in this guide is Statistics For Sarcoma. If you would like to read another page in this guide, return to the Sarcoma 101 Guides page or choose another topic. |
Sources:
-
American Cancer Society. Can Soft Tissue Sarcoma Be Prevented? https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/soft-tissue-sarcoma/causes-risks-prevention/prevention.html
National Cancer Institute. Soft Tissue Sarcoma Treatment (PDQ) – Patient Version. https://www.cancer.gov/types/soft-tissue-sarcoma/patient/adult-soft-tissue-treatment-pdq
American Cancer Society. American Cancer Society Guidelines for Diet and Physical Activity. 2020. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/diet-physical-activity/acs-guidelines-nutrition-physical-activity-cancer-prevention.html\
Can I lower my risk of Sarcoma? Screening and prevention
Last updated and reviewed on May 27, 2026.
The honest answer is that for most people, there is no guaranteed way to prevent sarcoma. Unlike some cancers, such as lung cancer, where quitting smoking dramatically reduces risk, sarcoma does not have one major lifestyle risk factor that most people can easily change. Most sarcomas happen without any clear cause.
However, there are some steps you can take to lower your risk as much as possible, and there are important actions for people who know they carry genetic risk factors.
Avoid Known Chemical Exposures
A small number of chemicals have been linked to a higher risk of certain sarcomas. If your job involves working with industrial chemicals, following workplace safety rules can protect you:
-
If you work with vinyl chloride (used to make PVC plastics), follow all safety guidelines. Occupational exposure to this chemical has been linked to angiosarcoma of the liver.
-
If you work with arsenic in pesticides, wood treatments, or industrial processes, use proper protective equipment (gloves, masks, ventilation).
Follow all workplace regulations set by agencies like OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) that are designed to protect workers from dangerous chemical exposures.
For most people, everyday environmental exposures to these chemicals are not a concern. The risk is primarily for people with heavy, repeated occupational exposure over many years.
Know Your Family History and Consider Genetic Counseling
If you have a close family member (parent, sibling, or child) who was diagnosed with sarcoma, especially at a young age, or if your family has a history of several different cancers, it may be worth talking to a genetic counselor. A genetic counselor can help you understand whether your family history suggests an inherited condition that raises your sarcoma risk, such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1, or other hereditary conditions.
If genetic testing shows you carry a mutation that increases cancer risk, your doctors can set up a plan for regular monitoring (surveillance) to catch any cancer as early as possible. This does not prevent cancer, but it can help find it at an earlier and more treatable stage.
Be Aware After Radiation Therapy
If you have previously received radiation therapy to treat another cancer, let your doctors know. Although radiation-induced sarcoma is rare, your healthcare team should be aware of your history so they can take any new symptoms seriously and investigate them appropriately. Do not avoid radiation therapy if your doctors recommend it for a current cancer; the benefit almost always far outweighs the small risk of a future radiation-related sarcoma.
Manage Lymphedema
If you have lymphedema (persistent swelling in an arm or leg, often after cancer treatment), work with your healthcare team to manage it. Long-standing lymphedema is a risk factor for a rare type of sarcoma called angiosarcoma. Regular follow-up, proper compression therapy, and prompt reporting of any new skin changes or firm lumps can help with early detection if a problem develops.
Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle
While there is no strong evidence that diet, exercise, or weight specifically prevents sarcoma, a healthy lifestyle is good for your overall health and can reduce your risk of many diseases, including other cancers. The American Cancer Society recommends:
-
Staying at a healthy weight
-
Being physically active
-
Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
-
Limiting alcohol
These habits may not directly lower sarcoma risk, but they support your overall health and may help your body respond better to treatment if you ever do develop cancer.
Know Your Body
Being aware of your body and reporting any new, growing, or persistent lumps or pain to a doctor is one of the best things you can do. Sarcoma that is caught early, when it is still small and has not spread, is generally much easier to treat than advanced sarcoma. There is currently no routine screening test for sarcoma for the general population, so paying attention to changes in your body and seeking medical attention when something seems wrong is especially important.
|
Special Guidance for People with Known Genetic Syndromes: If you have been diagnosed with a hereditary condition that raises your sarcoma risk, such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome or neurofibromatosis type 1, your medical team will likely recommend a personalized surveillance plan. This might include regular MRI scans to check for new tumors, clinical exams, and careful monitoring of any symptoms. These programs are offered at specialized cancer genetics centers and can give people with hereditary risk the best chance of catching any cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage. |
A Word of Reassurance
It is important to remember that even with known risk factors, most people do not develop sarcoma. And most people who are diagnosed with sarcoma have no identifiable risk factors at all. If you are worried about your risk, the best step is to talk openly with your doctor. Together, you can review your personal history and decide whether any specific steps are right for you.
|
What’s Next: The next page in this guide is Statistics For Sarcoma. If you would like to read another page in this guide, return to the Sarcoma 101 Guides page or choose another topic. |
Sources:
-
American Cancer Society. Can Soft Tissue Sarcoma Be Prevented? https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/soft-tissue-sarcoma/causes-risks-prevention/prevention.html
-
National Cancer Institute. Soft Tissue Sarcoma Treatment (PDQ) – Patient Version. https://www.cancer.gov/types/soft-tissue-sarcoma/patient/adult-soft-tissue-treatment-pdq
-
American Cancer Society. American Cancer Society Guidelines for Diet and Physical Activity. 2020. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/diet-physical-activity/acs-guidelines-nutrition-physical-activity-cancer-prevention.html\
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