Doctor warns people never to ignore common cancer symptom that’s often dismissed during hot weather
Callum Jones
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
A health expert has issued a warning regarding a common cancer symptom many people often ignore during the hot weather.
With the official start of the summer season coming later this month, temperatures across the US are set to sharply increase.
And while it's all well and good enjoying the sunshine during the daytime, sleeping at night can be a bit of a nightmare due to humid conditions.
Night sweats can become a common occurrence due to the hot weather, but one doctor has warned frequent night sweats could be a sign of a serious underlying condition.
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Dr Suhail Hussain has said they may be a sign of leukaemia or lymphoma, two cancers that affect blood cells.
While leukaemia is primarily a cancer of the bone marrow, lymphoma affects the lymphatic system.
Dr Hussain told the Express: "Night sweats are a common phenomenon and one that's far more likely to occur on hot, sticky nights.
"But persistent or unexplained sweating during sleep shouldn't be ignored—particularly if it happens alongside other symptoms like weight loss or fatigue.
"The occurrence of such symptoms should not merely be dismissed as 'oh well it's just hot outside'."
The GP added: "Night sweats can be a sign of something more serious, such as a serious infection, the menopause—or even cancer.
"Sweats associated with cancer are normally drenching—literally. You can wake up with your pyjamas and bed sheets wringing wet with sweat."
If you're suffering from extreme night sweats regularly, then you should be paying your GP a visit, Dr Hussain explained.
The health expert added: "Other rare cancers can also cause sweating. A group of cancers known as carcinoids affect hormonal function vie the neuroendocrine system, and hence may result in excess sweating.
"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 it checked out."
Leukaemia Care has a ton of handy bits of information on its website regarding night sweats and how it could be a sign of cancer.
They explained that it's important to book a doctor's appointment if 'you regularly have night sweats that wake you up at night'. On top of that, you want to pay a health care professional a visit if you 'wake up drenched in sweat, unable to cool down, even if your room is cool'.