There's a red flag symptom of a deadly cancer doctors are warning people to keep an eye on - and you're most likely to experience it at night.
Only 48% of adults admitted in a recent Cancer Research UK survey, that they would seek GP advice within weeks of noticing a possible sign of the disease - including an unexplained lump, or coughing up blood
But night sweats are a more subtle warning sign, and are easily explained away by a number of other conditions.
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Infections, the menopause and even certain medications are all reasons why you might experience sweating at night. However, very heavy, drenching night sweats could also be a sign of several cancers, including leukaemia and lymphoma.
Oncologists said telling a doctor about unusual symptoms straight away raises the chance of an early cancer diagnosis.
Dr Julie Sharp, CRUK’s head of health and patient involvement said: “You might think of red flag symptoms like coughing up blood or unexplained bleeding as hard to ignore, but this research shows that many do."
People from deprived backgrounds in particular, Dr Sharp said, face more barriers when it comes to getting help.
She continued: “Whether it’s a red flag symptom or not, if you notice a change to your health that’s unusual for you or isn’t going away, contact your GP as soon as you can. Your doctor is there for you and wants to hear about any concerns.”
Feeling tired can also be a sign something is wrong. While it can come from many things such as stress, auto-immune problems, or simply having trouble sleeping.
The expert continued: “But if you’re feeling tired for no clear reason, it could be a sign that something is wrong."
Dr Sharp also added a full list of other subtle signs you should watch out for:
Unexplained pain
Pain is a sign that something’s wrong, and while it’s easy to just hope it’ll go away, if it persists it’s important to get it checked out.
“As we get older, it‘s more common to experience aches and pains,” said Dr Sharp. “But unexplained pain could be a sign of something more serious.”
Unusual lumps or swelling
Lumps are one of the most well-known cancer symptoms, and while they can be caused by many less serious issues like an injury, Dr Sharp stresses that persistent lumps or swelling in any part of the body should be taken seriously.
Unexplained bleeding
Unexplained bleeding in poo, wee or vomit, coughing up blood, or any unexplained vaginal bleeding between periods, after sex or after the menopause, should be checked by a doctor, said Dr Sharp, who explains that the blood may look red, brown or black.
Bleeding can often be caused by something far less serious than cancer, but you should always report it to your doctor, she stressed.
Skin changes
These can include a sore that won’t heal, a new mole or changes to a mole’s size, shape or colour, plus crustiness, itching or bleeding.
Look at what doctors call the ABCDE Checklist to help you spot key changes.
In addition, Dr Sharp said any unusual change in a patch of skin or a nail should be checked by a doctor.
Digestive and eating problems
Problems such as difficulty swallowing, heartburn or indigestion or appetite loss can be red flag symptoms of cancer, said Dr Sharp.
While there may also be simple explanations, swallowing problems that don’t go away may be a sign of head and neck cancers, and persistent indigestion that can’t be explained could be a sign of a number of cancers including pancreatic, stomach and oesophageal.
Appetite loss is also a sign of many different cancers. Dr Sharp said: “Appetite loss can happen for many different reasons – speak to your doctor if you’ve noticed you’re not as hungry as usual and it’s not getting any better.”
Unexplained weight loss
There are, of course, many reasons for unexplained weight loss other than cancer, including gut and thyroid problems.
But Dr Sharp says that while small weight changes over time are normal, if you lose a noticeable amount of weight without trying to, you should tell your doctor.
Hoarse voice, cough or breathlessness
It’s really common to have a hoarse voice if you’ve had a cold, but the NHS said if you’re hoarse for more than three weeks you should see a doctor, as it’s a possible sign of throat cancer.
Similarly, Dr Sharp said if you have an unexplained cough that doesn’t go away in a few weeks or gets worse, it could be a sign of lung cancer. If you’re getting more breathless than usual, tell your doctor – while it might just be related to an infection or other heart or lung problems, it could be a cancer sign.
Persistent mouth ulcer
Although mouth ulcers are common, especially when you’re run down, they usually get better within about two weeks.
But Dr Sharp said an ulcer or red or white patch that doesn’t heal after three weeks should be reported to your doctor or dentist.
Unusual breast changes
It’s not just a lump that can be a breast cancer symptom – look out for any change in the size, shape or feel of your breast, or any skin changes, redness, or pain in the breast.
Dr Sharp said fluid – which may be blood-stained – leaking from the nipple could also be a sign of cancer.
Bowel and bladder habit changes
It’s really common to have a hoarse voice if you’ve had a cold, but the NHS said if you’re hoarse for more than three weeks you should see a doctor, as it’s a possible sign of throat cancer.
Similarly, Dr Sharp said if you have an unexplained cough that doesn’t go away in a few weeks or gets worse, it could be a sign of lung cancer. If you’re getting more breathless than usual, tell your doctor – while it might just be related to an infection or other heart or lung problems, it could be a cancer sign.
Persistent mouth ulcer
Although mouth ulcers are common, especially when you’re run down, they usually get better within about two weeks.
But Dr Sharp said an ulcer or red or white patch that doesn’t heal after three weeks should be reported to your doctor or dentist.
Unusual breast changes
It’s not just a lump that can be a breast cancer symptom – look out for any change in the size, shape or feel of your breast, or any skin changes, redness, or pain in the breast.
Dr Sharp said fluid – which may be blood-stained – leaking from the nipple could also be a sign of cancer.
Bowel and bladder habit changes
Bloating is another symptom that’s very common and usually not serious.
However, while Dr Sharp said it’s common to experience a bloated or swollen tummy that comes and goes, if you feel bloated most days, even if it’s intermittent, talk to your doctor.
Bloating can be a sign of several cancers, but particularly ovarian cancer.
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