The body can send subtle warning signals at the early stages of cancer. While patients usually notice symptoms during waking hours, recent studies show that some sleep-related changes might also serve as early indicators of certain cancers.
Experts highlight two main sleep-related signs that, if persistent, may be linked to an increased risk of developing tumors:
1. Excessive Night Sweats
Heavy night sweats that require changing clothes, occurring without obvious causes such as hot weather or medications, are associated by doctors with several diseases including lymphomas and leukemia.
According to Cleveland Clinic specialists, such sweating may reflect the immune system’s response to abnormal cell growth. Dr. Jennifer Cullen Bein, a hematologist, emphasizes that people with persistent severe night sweats should undergo thorough evaluation, especially if accompanied by unexplained weight loss or fever.
Cancer Research UK also reports that night sweats can be an early symptom of cancers like Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia, likely due to immune activation triggered by cancer cells interfering with normal bodily functions.
2. Sleep Apnea and Cancer
Sleep apnea is a common disorder where the upper airway repeatedly becomes blocked during sleep, causing breathing pauses. While primarily a sleep quality issue, recent evidence reveals a link between severe sleep apnea and higher cancer rates.
A 2019 Canadian study involving over 30,000 participants found that those with severe sleep apnea had increased risks of cancers such as kidney, pancreatic, and lung cancer. This may be due to chronic oxygen deprivation during sleep stimulating biological processes that promote cancer cell growth and spread.
Dr. Tetiana Kenderska, lead researcher, explains that repeated oxygen shortages cause oxidative stress—cell damage from oxidation—a known trigger for genetic mutations linked to cancer.
Why Are These Signs Connected to Cancer?
Both excessive night sweating and sleep apnea relate to increased inflammation and reflect the immune system’s status. Night sweats may result from the body fighting abnormal cancer cells, while sleep apnea’s intermittent oxygen deprivation leads to oxidative stress, promoting carcinogenic changes.
Doctors warn not to ignore these signs, especially if they recur daily or accompany symptoms like chronic fatigue, unexplained weight changes, or lumps in the neck or underarms.
When Should You See a Doctor?
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If night sweats are very heavy and frequent without clear causes.
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If you experience repeated breathing stops during sleep or your partner notices loud snoring followed by silence.
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If these signs occur alongside rapid weight loss or night fevers.
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If you have a family history of cancer.
While these symptoms are not definitive cancer diagnoses, they are important warning signs. Early medical evaluation and diagnosis significantly improve chances of successful treatment.
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