Some symptoms of lung cancer can be hard to connect to the lungs at all, and one that often surprises people is persistent back pain. For Kevin Humphrey, an endurance athlete who was eventually diagnosed with Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer, it was his back pain, not a cough, that started it all.
He described it as a deep, stubborn pain that just wouldn’t go away. At first, doctors thought it was pneumonia, but when the pain lingered, he kept pushing for answers, and that’s when they discovered the tumor.
Back pain is common and can come from many things, but in some cases, like Kevin’s, it’s an early sign of something more serious.
💭 So today we wanted to ask:
Did you experience back pain or other unexpected symptoms before your lung cancer diagnosis?
Was there a symptom you wish had been taken more seriously earlier on?
What would you say to someone who’s currently questioning whether their symptoms are “worth” getting checked?
I don't have lung cancer. I have copd, specifically bronchiectasis.
Did your back hurt before your lung cancer diagnosis?https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-lung-cancer/did-your-back-hurt-before-your-lung-cancer-diagnosis-64642025-11-19 22:26:04
joness16med
11/19/2025 at 11:17 PM
joness16med
Last activity on 11/19/2025 at 11:43 PM
Joined in 2021
1 comment posted | 1 in the Living with lung cancer group
Did your back hurt before your lung cancer diagnosis?https://www.carenity.us/forum/other-discussions/living-with-lung-cancer/did-your-back-hurt-before-your-lung-cancer-diagnosis-64642025-11-19 23:17:36
Somya.P
Community managerGood advisor
Somya.P
Community manager
Last activity on 09/04/2026 at 8:16 PM
Joined in 2023
1,017 comments posted | 7 in the Living with lung cancer group
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Hi everyone, how are you holding up today?
Some symptoms of lung cancer can be hard to connect to the lungs at all, and one that often surprises people is persistent back pain. For Kevin Humphrey, an endurance athlete who was eventually diagnosed with Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer, it was his back pain, not a cough, that started it all.
He described it as a deep, stubborn pain that just wouldn’t go away. At first, doctors thought it was pneumonia, but when the pain lingered, he kept pushing for answers, and that’s when they discovered the tumor.
Back pain is common and can come from many things, but in some cases, like Kevin’s, it’s an early sign of something more serious.
💭 So today we wanted to ask:
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Your story could really help others in our community who might be in that early, confusing phase of trying to make sense of their body’s signals.
Take care,
Somya from the Carenity team 🌼