Oncologist warns adults over 50 about persistent back pain

Oncologist Dr. Jiri Kubes warns that individuals over the age of 50 should pay close attention to new, persistent back pain that differs from previous experiences. While back pain is common and often benign, it can occasionally be a sign of cancer that has spread to the bones, such as breast, prostate, lung, kidney, or thyroid cancer, as well as multiple myeloma.

Medical experts distinguish between common muscular pain and potentially serious symptoms. Muscular pain typically worsens with movement or lifting and improves with rest. In contrast, concerning pain is often constant, persists during rest, wakes a person at night, or does not respond to standard pain medication.

Additional red flags that require urgent medical evaluation include leg weakness, numbness, tingling, walking difficulties, or loss of bladder and bowel control, which may indicate spinal cord pressure.