Doctor warns of cancer symptom that could be ‘dismissed’ during hot nights

Sweating is your body’s natural way of regulating body temperature – something that is very much engaged at the moment.

The hot temperatures are leaving many clothes soaked during the day, but night-time might not be much kinder.

While you might instantly brush off night sweats during this weather, a doctor warned they could sometimes signal serious health problems, including cancer.

Dr Suhail Hussain, personal physician and private home visiting GP, said: “Sweating at night is a common phenomenon and one that is far more likely to happen on hot sticky nights such as we’re experiencing now.

“However, the occurrence of such symptoms should not merely be dismissed as, ‘Oh well it’s just hot outside’.

READ MORE: Doctor shares the ‘most common’ cancer symptom that can be worse at night

“Night sweats can be a sign of something more serious, for example, serious infections, the menopause and even cancer.”

How to tell the difference?

Although night sweats could be a red flag pointing to the deadly condition, they can also be completely normal.

Fortunately, the doctor explained how to spot cancerous night sweats.

Dr Hussain said: “Sweats associated with cancer are normally drenching – literally. You can wake up with your pyjamas and bed sheets wringing wet with sweat.”

The expert also outlined further tell-tale signs that mean you should see a doctor about night sweats:

• The sweats are persistent and unremitting. Most of the time night sweats due to non-cancerous causes will be intermittent.
• Other related symptoms (such as fatigue and lack of energy)
• There may also be unexplained bruising
• You may have pain which is not explainable
• There may be lymph node enlargement
• There may also be sweating in the day which clearly is not associated with being too hot at night.

Cancerous night sweats are most commonly caused by leukaemia and lymphoma, which are cancers related to the blood and lymph node systems.

Therefore, you might also experience symptoms like enlarged glands and easy bruising, the doctor added.

Dr Hussain said: “Other rarer cancers can also cause sweating – a group of cancers known as carcinoids.

“These affect hormonal function via the neuroendocrine system and hence may result in excess sweating.

“Other concomitant symptoms could include flushing of the skin, alterations in pulse and blood pressure and muscle and joint aches.

“The bottom line is that if you feel like sweaty Betty or perspiring Pete and it’s going on a bit too long, then head over to your GP and get checked out.”