India, Aug. 8 -- Back pain is so common that it is often blamed on a bad mattress, long commute or hours spent at a desk. While most back pain is mechanical and harmless, certain patterns, particularly persistent pain in the upper back or shoulder, may warrant further investigation.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr George Karimundackal, Director, Thoracic Surgery, Nanavati Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mumbai, explained how back pain can sometimes be an overlooked symptom of lung cancer and when it should not be ignored. (Also read: Stop using cardio to 'earn your food': Fitness coach Bobby reveals why your weight loss may be stuck after 40 )

"Back pain is so ordinary that we have stopped taking it seriously. A bad mattress, a lon...