Did You Know the Musician Little Richard Died of Bone Cancer? Here Are the Symptoms of this Disease

Little Richard (born Richard Wayne Penniman) created hit after hit, from Lucille to Good Golly Miss Molly, and more. He passed from cancer at 87 years old. Richard’s agent shared the news with fans, saying that the iconic musician had been battling the disease "for a good while," and he had been spending the last few years with his brother in Nashville.

Symptoms of Bone Cancer

Bone cancer is caused when an unusual amount of cells grow within the bone. In 2021, approximately 3,610 new cases of bone cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S., resulting in about 2,060 deaths from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). The disease is treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

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Signs of bone cancer can include a variety of symptoms. Here are some things to look out for:

• Pain. This is the most common sign of this disease, and the pain may become more severe during physical activity. A tumor from bone cancer can weaken the bone, too, leading to breakage, or a fracture.
• Lump or swelling. Bone cancer tumors can lead to lumps or swelling around the site of the tumor. Cancer that occurs in the neck bone may present as a lump in the throat that causes difficulty with swallowing.
• Fractures. Bone cancer impacts the strength of the bones, and it can cause the bone to break or fracture.
• Other symptoms. Other signs of the disease can be numbness, tingling, and weakness in the body. Bone cancer can cause weight loss, fatigue, coughing, and trouble breathing.

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Coping with a Cancer Diagnosis

Whether you’re a globally famous musician like Little Richard, or just an ordinary person, facing a cancer diagnosis can feel daunting and emotional. Many people find therapy to be a useful addition during the cancer journey. Seek out a talented therapist, or ask someone to refer you to one, and you can process some emotions that make come up after your diagnosis with the help of a trained professional. There is zero shame in seeking outside support for an overwhelming life change like a cancer diagnosis.

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Camila Legaspi found therapy to be useful when she was processing her mother’s cancer diagnosis, and her subsequent passing. She says, “Therapy saved my life. I was dealing with some really intense anxiety and depression at that point.”

“It just changed my life,” she continues, “because I was so drained by all the negativity that was going on. Going to a therapist helped me realize that there was still so much out there for me, that I still had my family, that I still had my siblings.”

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