Health experts have warned that back pain “that doesn’t go away with rest” could signal cancer. According to Cancer Research UK, it is one symptom of prostate cancer to look out for. Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among men in the UK, accounting for around 52,300 new cases every year. It is also one of the most deadly forms of the disease, causing the second-highest amount of cancer deaths among men in the UK.
Therefore, if you notice any of the signs it is important to get them checked as soon as possible. However, symptoms don’t always appear in the early stages of prostate cancer, making it difficult to get a diagnosis. In fact, many men can live with the disease for years without realising. This is because symptoms don’t typically show until the cancer starts pressing 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 does start pressing on the urethra you might experience:. But other patients will only experience signs of prostate cancer once it has spread to other parts of the body. This includes pain in the back or bones “that doesn’t go away” even with rest.
The charity continues: “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.” It might also cause tiredness and unexplained weight loss.
