If you experience any of these signs you should speak to your GP, experts have advised
Two symptoms that commonly occur at night could be early warning signs of a life-threatening illness. Moreover, struggling with these issues while you sleep could be indicative of cancer.
There are over 200 distinct forms of cancer that can occur in the human body. Often, symptoms of the disease are determined by their location within the body.
However, as reported by SurreyLive, other warning signs may be broad-ranging – making them easier to overlook. Such symptoms might become particularly noticeable after dark.
According to specialists at Cancer Research UK, experiencing intense night sweats or insomnia may both be indications of cancer.
Nevertheless, it’s crucial to acknowledge these symptoms can stem from various other conditions and do not conclusively mean you have the disease. That being said, encountering unexpected bouts of sleeplessness or severe sweating at night, which is out of the ordinary for you, should prompt a visit to a medical professional.
Cancer Research UK advises: “It’s important to be aware of what is normal for you and speak to your doctor if you notice any unusual changes or something that won’t go away. This can help to diagnose cancer at an early stage, when treatment is more likely to be successful.”
Night sweats
Night sweats are often attributed to factors such as room temperature, climatic conditions or sharing a bed. However, Cancer Research UK recommends seeking medical advice if one encounters “very heavy, drenching night sweats” or unexplained fevers, as these could be indicative of serious conditions like lymphoma.
The NHS also highlights that excessive sweating during sleep, which results in thoroughly soaked bed sheets, warrants attention from a healthcare professional. It states: “If you regularly wake up with soaking wet sheets, you should get it checked by a GP.
“Night sweats are when you sweat so much that your night clothes and bedding are soaking wet, even though where you’re sleeping is cool.” Certain cancers are more commonly associated with causing night sweats, including:
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Carcinoid tumours
- Leukaemia
- Mesothelioma
- Bone cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Germ cell tumours
- Advanced medullary thyroid cancer.
Insomnia
Insomnia is another issue that affects a significant portion of the population, with about one in three individuals experiencing sleep problems at some stage. These disturbances can arise from a multitude of sources such as stress, anxiety, health issues or injuries.
Cancer Research UK also notes that persistent insomnia may be a symptom of cancer. This could stem from pain, illness linked to the cancer, treatment side effects, or even due to the anxiety, stress, or depression often associated with a cancer diagnosis.
The charity says: “If you often have insomnia, it can interfere with everyday life. You may feel very tired and have low energy.
“You might also have poor concentration, and irritability, and may feel you cannot cope.”
Among other general indicators that may point towards cancer are:
- Fatigue
- Unexplained bleeding or bruising
- Consistent pain or aches
- Sudden weight loss
- Any unusual lumps or swelling.
It is advised to consult with a doctor if you observe any of these unexplained signs.