Back and bones

Information for the public

Being referred to a specialist does not mean that you have cancer. Very few people who are referred to a specialist actually have cancer. However, it is important that you are checked quickly to find out. If you do have cancer, spotting it early can mean treatment is easier and more likely to be successful.

Back pain is common and may be caused by a number of things, but if you are 60 or over and you have lost weight, and your GP doesn't think it is caused by anything else, you may be offered a scan to check for cancer of the pancreas (an important gland that helps digestion and produces insulin) – this scan should be carried out within 2 weeks.

If you are 60 or over and have bone pain (particularly back pain) that is long‑lasting or you have had a fracture that wasn't caused by anything else (such as an accident), you should be offered blood tests to check for myeloma (a type of cancer that affects white blood cells and the bone marrow where blood cells are made). For more information see test results.

For bone symptoms in children and young people see the symptoms of cancer in children and young people section.