Some symptoms that may indicate cancer tend to manifest in the morning, as highlighted by an expert.
Although cancer doesn’t adhere to a specific time of day, early warning signs can appear unexpectedly, and some are more likely to show up upon waking.
These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have cancer, but recognizing them could lead individuals to seek medical advice sooner, potentially enabling life-saving treatments.
The American Cancer Society estimated that in 2024, there would be 2,001,140 new cancer cases and 611,720 cancer-related deaths in the United States, making cancer the second-leading cause of death in the country.
Health experts have pointed out various warning signs that we might encounter in our daily routines, such as during bathroom visits.
Abbas Kanani, a pharmacist at Chemist Click, shared with the Daily Record the top three symptoms to be aware of in the morning.
The first symptom is a persistent or lingering cough.
WebMD notes that a cough persisting or worsening over time is a common indicator of lung cancer. While it might be expected to be chesty or painful, this isn’t always the case.
It might feel like a slight tickle in the throat or resemble throat clearing.
Kanani emphasized that even though smokers and vapers might experience morning coughs, anyone with a cough lasting more than two weeks should get it checked, regardless of smoking habits.
Research cited by WebMD indicates that up to 65% of lung cancer patients have a persistent cough by diagnosis, increasing to 80% in advanced stages where cancer has spread.
However, a chronic cough can also indicate conditions such as asthma, acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Secondly, night sweats are another potential symptom to monitor, as per the pharmacist.
The Mayo Clinic describes night sweats as ‘repeated episodes of intense sweating during sleep, enough to soak clothes or bedding’.
This isn’t merely due to summer heat, as night sweats can occur independently.
While common during menopause for women and potentially resulting from medication, they can also stem from illnesses such as infections, diabetes, or cancer, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Kanani advised: “Consult your GP if night sweats accompany fatigue, weight loss, or bruising.”
The third symptom is waking up feeling fatigued, which might simply be due to inadequate sleep.
However, consistently waking up extremely tired could signal underlying issues, the pharmacist warns, particularly if combined with other symptoms.
“While it’s normal to feel somewhat tired in the morning, if this is unusual for you or fatigue persists throughout the day, a check-up is warranted,” he noted.