A doctor has revealed that a key sign that someone is suffering from cancer can be detected more easily at night. A key factor in surviving cancer is identifying it early - and then getting the correct treatment in time.
If symptoms such as a lump or bleeding show themselves early enough then it is relatively easy to spot. However, some are less easy to spot meaning that the cancer can progress to the stage where it is more difficult to stop.
Dr Deborah Lee, from Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, said that pain at night is something which can be a flag for cancer - and the fact that it can be worse at this time makes it easier to spot, the Mirror reported. She said: “One of the signs that pain may be due to cancer is pain that is worse at night, as well as pain that is not related to trauma.
“There may be other symptoms such as loss of appetite, weight loss, malaise, tiredness and fatigue, nausea and vomiting, or fever.” Cancer Research UK says around 38 per cent of all cancer patients will experience moderate to severe pain when trying to sleep.
Dr Lee emphasised that there are many other reasons which can cause pain - but cancer can be worse at night because that’s when it grows more rapidly. Dr Lee said any pain which persists longer than three weeks should be investigated by a GP and added: “It may well have an innocent explanation, but you need to have a proper assessment.”
Visit the NHS website for advice and information on the potential symptoms of cancer. To find out more click here.
