Health experts have warned people of a “very common” cancer symptom that can appear when you wake up in the morning and last all day. Despite the fact it affects 65 percent of cancer patients it could be easily dismissed or mistaken for something else, making it particularly dangerous.
It’s quite normal to feel a bit tired in the morning. Even if you are well rested you can wake up feeling like you need just a bit more sleep before you start your day.
It’s also not unusual to feel a bit tired throughout the day, especially in the winter months when cold temperatures and less sunlight contribute to feelings of sluggishness.
But constant, crippling fatigue could signal something far more sinister. According to Cancer Research UK, fatigue that “doesn’t go away” even with sleep or rest is a red flag for cancer.
It can be caused by both the cancer itself as well as treatment and leaves patients “feeling very tired, exhausted and lacking energy”.
The charity explains: “Cancer related fatigue can affect you physically, emotionally, and mentally. How long it lasts, how severe it is, and how often you might have it is different from person to person.”
If you have cancer-related fatigue, you might experience:
- Lack of energy – you may just want to stay in bed all day
- The need to rest even when you’ve done little or no activity
- Feeling you just cannot be bothered to do much
- Sleeping problems such as unable to sleep or disturbed sleep
- Finding it hard to get up in the morning
- Feeling anxious, sad or depressed
- Pain in your muscles – you may find it hard to climb stairs or walk short distances
- Feeling breathless after doing small tasks, for example, having a shower or making your bed
- Finding it hard to concentrate, even just watching TV or talking to a friend
- Finding it hard to think clearly or make decisions easily
- Loss of interest in sex
- Loss of interest in doing things you usually enjoy
- Negative feelings about yourself and others.
This symptom can make daily life extremely hard. Cancer Research UK continues: “Fatigue can be very frustrating. You and your relatives might underestimate how much it can affect daily life.
“Everyday life can be difficult and you might not have the energy to cook, clean, bathe or go shopping. You might not even feel up to a chat. Things that you used to find easy to do can feel like hard work.”
It warns that you may have to give up work as a result of this symptom. The charity adds: “Some people feel like fatigue is a constant reminder of their cancer and this can be hard to accept.
“You might worry that because you feel so tired all the time your cancer could be getting worse. But it is more likely to be a side effect of treatment, or due to the fact that cancer can cause fatigue.”
When to see a doctor
Of course, fatigue does not necessarily mean you have cancer. It is a symptom that can be triggered by many health issues as well as lifestyle factors such as poor sleep, poor diet, and a lack of exercise.
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Other health conditions known to cause fatigue include:
- Anaemia
- Under or overactive thyroid
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease
- Endometriosis
- Long Covid
- Mental health issues.
Certain medications like antidepressants, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and pain medicines are also linked to fatigue.
However, if you are experiencing unexplained fatigue that is making day-to-day life difficult, you should speak to your GP.
