Brits have been warned about a “very common” symptom of cancer that can appear when you wake up and persist throughout the day. Although it affects around 65 percent of cancer patients, this symptom could be easily overlooked or mistaken for something else, making it particularly dangerous.
It’s normal to feel a bit tired in the morning, even if you’ve had a good night’s sleep. It’s also not unusual to feel a bit sluggish during the day, especially during the winter months when cold temperatures and less sunlight can make you feel lethargic.
However, constant, debilitating fatigue could be a sign of something much more serious. According to Cancer Research UK, fatigue that “doesn’t go away” even with sleep or rest is a red flag for cancer.
This fatigue can be caused by both the cancer itself and its treatment, leaving 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.
According to Cancer Research UK: “Fatigue can be very frustrating. You and your relatives might underestimate how much it can affect daily life.”
The charity warns that everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning, bathing or shopping can become difficult, and you may not even have the energy for a chat. Things that used to be easy can feel like hard work, and some people may have to give up work due to 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 should you consult a doctor?
Of course, fatigue doesn’t always indicate cancer. It’s a symptom that can be caused by numerous health issues as well as lifestyle factors such as poor sleep, inadequate diet, and lack of exercise.
Other health conditions known to cause fatigue include: anaemia, under or overactive thyroid, diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, endometriosis, long Covid, and mental health issues. Certain medications like antidepressants, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and pain medicines are also linked to fatigue.
However, if you’re experiencing unexplained fatigue that’s making daily life difficult, it’s advisable to speak to your GP.