Normal back pain usually goes away when you rest or take medication. However, if the following symptoms accompany back pain, you should check to see if it is related to cancer:
1. Pain that increases when resting
Normal back pain usually decreases when we lie down. However, if there are cancerous tumors affecting the spine, the pain may worsen when we lie down or rest at night.
2. Unexplained weight loss
If you experience sudden weight loss, chronic fatigue, and loss of appetite along with back pain, it may be a sign that cancer cells are growing in the body.
3. Excessive sweating and fever at night
If a person with back pain sweats heavily at night or experiences a chronic low-grade fever, you should seek medical help immediately.
4. Loss of control over urination and bowel movements
Cancer tumors in the spine can press on nerves and cause incontinence. This is a symptom that needs immediate treatment.
5. Weakness in the legs
Pain radiating from the spine to the legs and feeling weak or weak in the legs may be a sign of cancer affecting the nervous system.
6. Cancer spreading to other parts (Metastasis)
Breast cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer often spread to the spine. Therefore, those who have previously sought cancer treatment should be very careful when experiencing back pain.
When should you see a doctor?
Severe pain that lasts more than two weeks.
A condition that does not subside despite taking painkillers.
Feeling lumps or thickening when touching the outside.
Note: Having these symptoms does not necessarily mean that it is cancer. It can often be an infection or serious disc problems. This can only be confirmed with a proper examination