Catching cancer early is key to helping sufferers beat the disease. And early mornings can be crucial in achieving that prompt diagnosis.
Cancer symptoms can appear at any time of day or night. But some clues are more likely to be detected in how you feel when you wake up, the Daily Record reports.
Knowing these signs could help people get checked by their doctor and get earlier life-saving treatment. So pharmacist Abbas Kanani has given a helpful guide to what you should watch out for.
And he says if you notice any changes that are out of the ordinary in the morning you should see a GP straight away. Mr Kanani, of online pharmacy Chemist Click, explained that a persistent cough, fatigue and night sweats could all be warning signs for cancer.
He said that smokers will often wake up with a cough in the morning, but if it persists for more than two weeks you should see your doctor regardless of whether you smoke or not.
Another concerning symptom that you may experience in the morning is fatigue - which could be particularly worrying if it is accompanied by other symptoms. "It’s normal to feel a little tired in the morning, but if this is not usual for you, or you are noticing fatigue lasting throughout the day, you should get this checked out," Mr Kanani said.
The third symptom that the pharmacist outlined was night sweats. If your bed is wet or damp from sweat when you wake up you may have been experiencing this. Mr Kanani added: "Get this checked out with your GP, especially if night sweats are accompanied by fatigue, weight loss or bruising."
According to the NHS, other symptoms of cancer which can appear at any time of the day include:
- Chest pain and breathlessness
- Changes in bowel habits
- Unusual bleeding
- Lumps
- Mole changes
- Unexplained weight loss
- Tummy or back pain
- Indigestion and heartburn
- Itchy or yellow skin
But risks can be significantly reduced by lifestyle changes, particularly when it comes to smoking and drinking. Cancer Research UK has said that cutting out smoking is the "biggest preventable cause of cancer in the UK, and worldwide."
On its website, the charity says there is no safe level of smoking: "The link between smoking and cancer is very clear. It causes at least 15 different types of cancer, including two of the most common, lung and bowel cancer."
Cutting down on alcohol could also help people reduce their cancer risks, according to the charity. It says: "Alcohol causes 7 types of cancer, including breast, mouth and bowel cancer. Whatever your drinking habits, cutting down will reduce your risk."
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