A lesser-known night-time symptom could point to bowel cancer, a disease often dubbed a ‘silent killer’. Early recognition of warning signs is crucial, given that bowel cancer ranks as the fourth most common form in the UK.
Cancer Research UK’s data reveals it accounts for nearly 16,808 deaths annually. With approximately 44,100 new cases reported each year in the UK – amounting to about 120 daily – recognising symptoms swiftly is key to improving survival prospects.
Despite its prevalence, bowel cancer frequently remains asymptomatic in its early stages, leading to late diagnoses and diminished survival rates. To help combat this, the NHS has introduced an at-home testing initiative this week for people of a certain age.
An NHS spokesperson explained: “The kit, known as the faecal immunochemical test (FIT), checks for blood in a small stool sample, which can be a sign of bowel cancer… Results are sent back to participants, along with information about further tests, if needed.”
With the capability to detect indicators of bowel cancer earlier, the screening programme has now been extended to include individuals aged 50 in England, benefiting hundreds of thousands more people. Fortunately, timely detection greatly enhances the effectiveness of treatment options, reports Surrey Live.
Among the primary symptoms are rectal bleeding or blood in stool, alterations in bowel movements such as constipation or diarrhoea, unexplained weight loss, severe fatigue, and abdominal lumps or pain. However, there’s one less common symptom that can cause discomfort during sleep.
Night sweats could be a sign of advanced bowel cancer, particularly if they occur alongside other symptoms – such as unexplained weight loss, fatigue, abdominal pain, or blood in the stool – which may suggest the cancer is at an advanced stage. Night sweats might occur when your immune system is battling hard against cancer, especially if you’re also running a fever.
As a result, your body may sweat more than usual to help cool itself down. The NHS adds: “Bowel cancer can cause anaemia (when you have fewer red blood cells than usual), which can make you feel very tired, short of breath and have headaches.”
Make sure you see a GP if you have any symptoms of bowel cancer for three weeks or more. Try not to be embarrassed, the doctor or nurse will be used to discussing these symptoms.
However, night sweats alone are not typically a clear indicator of bowel cancer and can be caused by various other factors. Therefore, it’s crucial to consult a doctor if you experience them.
Night sweats can be triggered by a range of factors, including infections, hormonal changes like those during menopause, certain medications, and stress. If you’re concerned about night sweats, especially if they’re associated with other potential cancer symptoms, it’s advisable to book an appointment with your doctor for a check-up.
Your doctor may carry out physical exams, blood tests, imaging scans (such as a colonoscopy), or other evaluations to determine what’s causing your night sweats. It’s crucial to remember that the main symptoms of colorectal or bowel cancer can differ, particularly in severe cases.
Those who menstruate may incorrectly associate some of these symptoms with menstrual discomfort. Similarly, individuals suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) might experience comparable symptoms.