While the occasional aches and pains are a part of everyone’s life, sometimes pain can be a sign of something more sinister like cancer.
Around 38 out of every 100 people with cancer will suffer from moderate to severe pain at some point during their journey.
Fortunately, Dr Deborah Lee, from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, has shared how to spot cancer pain and what to do once you identify it.
Dr Lee said: “Although not every cancer patient experiences pain, most cancer patients do have pain at some point in their illness.
“As cancer cells grow, they press on the surrounding tissues. They also cause inflammation and swelling.
“Some cancers produce chemicals that heighten the sensation of pain.”
The deadly condition can produce all types of pain, ranging from dull to aching and throbbing to sharp.
It can also strike in various locations in your body, including your head, chest, back, limbs, tummy, legs and more.
However, the tell-tale signs of cancerous pain are persistence and relentlessness to go away, according to the doctor.
She said: “It’s important to take note of any aches and pains – we all get these from time to time.
“On the whole, these pains get better by themselves and go away.
“However, as a tell-tale sign, if you have a new pain that is persistent and not getting better after a period of three weeks, you should see your GP.”
While pains won’t always guarantee you have cancer, the doctor explained it’s important to have an assessment.
Dr Lee added: “If you start getting pain that is unusual for you, keep a record of the pain.
“Write down when it tends to come on, what type of pain it is, how long it lasts, and what tends to make it better or worse.
“[Write] how bad the pain is on a scale of one to 10, with one being mild and 10 being the worst pain you can imagine.
“If the pain is persistent and not improving over three weeks or so, take your pain diary and discuss this with your GP.”
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