Do Breast Cancer and Back Pain Happen Together?

Waking up with sudden, dull, or irritating pain in the upper back can be annoying, and most people have dealt with it at one time or another. In fact, back pain tends to get worse as we age, starting at around 28% of people between the ages of 18 and 29 and affecting approximately 44% by the time they’re 45.

Can trouble with the breast cause back pain? For most people, back pain won’t be a sign of breast cancer, only that they slept wrong or overworked their back in some way. It could simply be a sign of aging or that they haven’t stretched in a while. Back pain isn’t typically an early sign of breast cancer, which is good news.

However, ongoing back pain, in combination with other signs of breast cancer, is something to have looked at. Common symptoms of breast cancer may include:

  • Changes in the nipples, such as flattering or discharge
  • Pain in the breast or armpit
  • An ulceration (open wound) on the nipple or breast
  • Changes in the skin, such as scaliness or redness
  • New lumps along the chest, armpit or breast.

If you are experiencing any of these cancer symptoms along with back pain, call your doctor for an appointment as soon as possible. And, if you develop unusual or persistent back or neck pain without those additional symptoms but that you can’t explain with exercise-related injuries, falls, or other accidents, contact your medical provider. Your doctor may want to order blood tests, a mammogram, an ultrasound, or even a biopsy to determine the underlying cause of your back pain and if it might be linked to breast cancer or another problem in the body.

What Can You Expect If You Have Breast Cancer and Back Pain?

Back pain can be debilitating and overwhelming to some people, which is why it’s necessary to correct the underlying cause as soon as possible. Identifying if the pain is linked to breast cancer is important to prevent it from spreading further and to start treating the symptoms and underlying causes.

If back pain is linked to breast cancer, Dr. Yolanda Tammaro, a board-certified general surgeon with distinguished fellowship training in breast surgery, recommends “ taking a multidisciplinary approach to managing back pain. Combining medical interventions with self-care strategies and alternative therapies can help manage breast cancer-related back pain.”

While targeting cancer cells and treating the cancer can help reduce or eliminate back pain, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and hormonal therapies can also increase back pain for some people. There are treatments and therapies that can help, such as exercising and stretching with the support of a physical therapy team.

Breast Cancer and Back Pain FAQ

Can Back Pain Cause Breast Pain?

Breast and back pain causes can vary, but they are sometimes tied together. For example, women who have large, heavy breasts may have pain from the weight of supporting them. It is, however, also possible that cancer, either breast cancer or other kinds in the region, could lead to breast and back pain at the same time. If you have sudden or unusual pain, let your primary care provider know so you can get an appropriate diagnosis.

Where Is the First Place Breast Cancer Usually Spreads?

Breast cancer, which starts within the tissues along the breast and up under the arm, will first spread to one of the lymph nodes closest to it (called the sentinel node). Usually, breast cancer spreads from the main breast up under the arm.

Once it does that, it can start to cause problems in other parts of the body. As it spreads through the lymphatic system, it can affect the lungs, bones, ribs, spinal vertebrae, or other parts of the body.

What Does Back Pain From Breast Cancer Feel Like?

People with breast cancer have described the back pain from it as throbbing and gnawing. It is a deeper pain for most people, but some others have said that it can be sudden and sharp. Since this kind of pain is difficult to distinguish from the pain that you might have from exercising or developing arthritis, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the onset of any new or sudden pain that persists.

Is Pain In My Breast Cancer?

If you have unusual pain in your breast, it is possible that the pain could be caused by breast cancer or a number of other issues. You should perform a self-examination to look for a hard, painful lump in breast tissue. And, if the pain continues or has started suddenly, talk to your doctor. They may be able to suggest tests to rule out breast cancer or other causes of lumps, pain, or discomfort.

About Look Learn Locate

Learn Look Locate is dedicated to becoming a global leader in breast cancer awareness and education, focusing on early breast cancer detection. Our mission is to empower women worldwide by providing accurate breast cancer prevention strategies and emotional support.

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