I am 42. Do my back pain and fatigue indicate cancer spread?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 42-year-old female diagnosed with breast cancer last year. Recently, I have been experiencing persistent back pain and fatigue. After doing some research online, I am concerned these symptoms could be signs of metastatic breast cancer. I have not discussed this with my doctor yet.

What tests should I ask for to determine if the cancer has spread?
What steps should I take if it turns out to be metastatic?

It would be nice if you could advise on the tests, treatment steps, or how to approach your doctor about these concerns.

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

Your symptoms are likely due to something less serious, such as a strain, sprain, or disc problem. However, it is important to investigate further to rule out other causes. While the most common symptom of breast cancer is a painless lump in the breast, your back pain and fatigue still warrant a visit to a doctor. A physician will examine your spine and may recommend tests like a mammogram or a spinal X-ray to identify the cause of your symptoms.

Certain factors can increase the risk of breast cancer, including a family or personal history of breast cancer or breast conditions, starting your period at a young age, reaching menopause later in life, dense breast tissue, alcohol consumption, and genetic factors like the BRCA1 mutation. Triple-negative breast cancer is more common in premenopausal women under 50. If you have concerns, discussing your risk factors and symptoms with your doctor is the best step forward.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.