What is the sacrum bone, how can back pain be a sign of breast cancer and what are the other symptoms?
ACTRESS Olivia Newton-John has announced she is suffering breast cancer for a second time which has spread to her sacrum bone.
But what is the sacrum bone and how can back pain be a sign of breast cancer? Here's all you need to know...
What is the sacrum bone?
The sacrum bone is a large wedge triangular shape bone that is at the bottom of the back.
It forms the base of the spinal column and intersects with the hip bones to form the pelvis.
The sacrum is one of the strongest bones in the body as it supports the weight of the torso and spreads it across the pelvis and legs.
Actress and singer Olivia Newton-John has revealed that her breast cancer has spread to her sacrum bone in her back.
How can back pain be a sign of breast cancer?
Although rare, experiencing pain and discomfort in the back can be a sign of breast cancer.
Pain that comes from the back and feels as though it is coming from deep within the bones can be a signal of the disease.
In these cases, it is usually because the cancer has spread from the breast and into the bones and shows that the condition is becoming advanced.
However, back pain alone is not always a symptom of breast cancer, and can be just down to soreness or aches in the muscles.
But if the pain is unusual and does not go away, you should see your doctor.
What are the other symptoms of breast cancer?
For most women, the first sign or symptom of breast cancer is a lump or area of thickened tissue in their breast.
While 90% of such lumps are not cancerous, it is vital to get them checked by your GP at the earliest opportunity – detecting the disease early can mean treatment is more effective.
There are also seven signs and symptoms you might not realise mean you could have breast cancer.
- Change in breast size or shape
- Redness or a rash
- Nipple discharge
- Swelling in the armpit or around the collarbone
- Change in skin texture
- An inverted nipple
- Constant pain
What type of cancer does Olivia Newton John have?
Olivia was first diagnosed with breast cancer 25 years ago in 1992 and underwent treatment as well as a partial mastectomy for the disease.
She recovered and then became an advocate for breast cancer research and other health issues.
In a statement, Olivia confirmed that she was cancelling her upcoming US and Canadian concert tour dates due to her diagnosis.
The statement read: “The back pain that initially caused her to postpone the first half of her concert tour, has turned out to be breast cancer that has metastasized to the sacrum.
“In addition to natural wellness therapies, Olivia will complete a short course of photon radiation therapy and is confident she will be back later in the year, better than ever, to celebrate her shows.”
