Health experts have issued a warning that persistent back pain could be an indication of something more serious. Cancer Research UK has highlighted this as one symptom of prostate cancer to be aware of.
Prostate cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in men in the UK, with approximately 52,300 new cases reported annually. It’s also one of the deadliest forms of the disease, causing the second highest number of cancer deaths among men in the UK.
Therefore, it’s crucial to get any signs checked out promptly. However, symptoms often don’t manifest in the early stages of prostate cancer, making diagnosis challenging.
In fact, many men can live with the disease for years without knowing they have it. This is because symptoms usually don’t appear until the cancer begins to press on the urethra.
Cancer Research UK explains: “Most prostate cancers start in the outer part of the prostate gland. This means that to cause symptoms, the cancer needs to be big enough to press on the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis. This is called urethra.”
If the cancer starts pressing on the urethra, you might experience an increased need to urinate, straining while urinating, or a feeling that your bladder hasn’t fully emptied. However, some patients only show signs of prostate cancer once it has spread to other parts of the body.
This includes back or bone pain “that doesn’t go away” even with rest. The charity warns: “If prostate cancer has already spread to other parts of the body (advanced or metastatic prostate cancer), it can cause symptoms such as back or bone pain that doesn’t go away with rest.”
Advanced symptoms may also include persistent tiredness and unexplained weight loss. Prostate cancer most commonly spreads to the bones, often resulting in bone pain described as a constant dull ache or stabbing pain that can even disrupt sleep, according to Cancer Research UK.
Bones may become fragile and more prone to fractures. The charity further explains: “When prostate cancer spreads to the spine, it can put pressure on the spinal cord and cause spinal cord compression. ” This condition hampers nerve function, with back pain typically being the initial sign of spinal cord compression.
“Spinal cord compression is an emergency. You should contact your treatment team immediately if you are worried you might have spinal cord compression.”
Getting tested
It’s crucial to consult a GP if any potential signs of prostate cancer are noticed. As the disease often presents no symptoms, men over 50 are urged to get a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, which can aid in early detection of prostate cancer.
Men over 50 can request a PSA test from their GP, but it’s important to note that PSA tests aren’t infallible; an MRI scan is also necessary for a conclusive diagnosis.