Bone pain is a common complaint among many people as they age or after strenuous physical activity. Many people dismiss this pain as simply aging, arthritis, or an old injury. However, persistent bone pain can sometimes be an early sign of bone cancer.

According to ortho-oncologist Dr. Nikhil Tandon, people don't even think about bone cancer because it's a rare disease. Therefore, many patients ignore early symptoms, leading to a delay in diagnosis.

According to doctors, many patients don't seek medical help until the pain or swelling becomes severe and affects walking or daily activities. According to the Indian Cancer Society, approximately 4,000 new cases of bone cancer are diagnosed in India each year. Bone cancer accounts for approximately 5 percent of all cancer patients worldwide.

What are the early signs of bone cancer?

Bone cancer often confuses patients because the early symptoms are similar to those of other bone diseases. Therefore, the following symptoms should not be ignored.

Recurrent pain in a bone

Swelling near the joints

Decreased movement of limbs or joints

Fracture after a minor injury

According to Dr. Tandon, bone cancer pain tends to worsen over time. It's especially noticeable at night. The pain doesn't go away even after resting or taking painkillers. Yet, many people continue to self-treat or wait for the pain to go away on its own. 

How can bone cancer be diagnosed early?
Lifestyle changes cannot completely prevent bone cancer. However, if certain precautions are taken, early detection of the disease's symptoms can be helpful.

Don't ignore bone pain that persists for several weeks without any apparent cause.

Consult a doctor instead of self-medication. If pain or swelling persists, consult a doctor and, if necessary, have an X-ray or other tests.

Do not rely on information or speculation on the internet.

Regular health checkups and timely tests can help detect changes in the body in advance.

PC: Rochak Khabre