Major red flag cancer symptom you can only spot at night

Cancer is a devastating disease, and in 2025, a staggering 618,120 people in the United States will lose their lives to it.

We all know someone who has been affected — and that’s why awareness and early detection are critical.

Shockingly, only half of cancer patients survive for 10 years or more after diagnosis. The key to saving lives? Catching it early.

Recognizing the warning signs

Every single day, cancer claims over 1,700 lives in the U.S. That’s more than one life lost every minute.

In 2025, over 2 million new cases are expected to be diagnosed — lives forever changed in an instant. Families shattered. Dreams put on hold.

The numbers are staggering, but they’re more than just statistics. They’re real people. And that’s why awareness, early detection, and research have never been more important.

Some cancers can be prevented — like those caused by smoking, excess weight, and alcohol consumption. But here’s the harsh truth: cancer doesn’t discriminate.

It’s not just smokers or red meat lovers who are at risk. Even the healthiest, most active people can be blindsided by a diagnosis. Cancer can creep in silently, unexpectedly, and in ways we never see coming.

That’s why staying informed, recognizing the warning signs could mean the difference between life and death.

Many people with cancer experience hot flashes or sweating, including night sweats, and this can affect individuals of any gender.

Night sweats are often overlooked, but they can be a silent red flag, reports The Express. Experts aren’t entirely sure why some cancers trigger excessive sweating, but it could be the body’s desperate attempt to fight off the disease or a reaction to shifting hormone levels. In some cases, cancer-induced fevers can also cause intense sweating as the body struggles to cool down.

Hot flashes and night sweats are sometimes referred to as vasomotor symptoms.

According to Healthline, certain cancers, including carcinoid tumors, leukemia, and lymphoma, are known to trigger intense night sweats. The body may be reacting to the disease, hormone shifts, or even an undetected fever.

Hot flushes

According to a study from 2003, ”The true incidence of flushing and sweating in advanced cancer is unknown, but on the occasions when it does occur, this symptom is the most troublesome and exhausting to the terminally ill patient.’”

Hot flashes and sweating are also among the most common side effects of hormone therapy, particularly for those undergoing treatment for breast, prostate, and endometrial cancers.

In breast cancer patients, hot flashes may be caused by estrogen deficiency, while in prostate cancer, they can be triggered by androgen ablation therapy. Hot flushes and sweating likely affect 75% of male patients suffering from prostate cancer.

There are studies, for example, that show hot flashes, also called hot flushes, occur in approximately two-thirds of postmenopausal women with a history of breast cancer and are associated with night sweats in 44% of these women.

An occasional night sweat? Probably nothing to worry about.

But if you’re waking up drenched night after night, it could be a sign of something more serious. While environmental or lifestyle factors are often to blame, persistent night sweats — especially when paired with fevers, unexplained weight loss, or other symptoms — shouldn’t be ignored.

I had actually never heard that night sweats could be a sign of cancer. Hopefully, it’s not that, but if you’re feeling worried, it’s always best to speak to a doctor. Sometimes it’s better to be on the safe side.

Cancer can creep up, and many people live with the disease for a long time before seeking help, and by then, it could be too late. Think of this as an article meant to help, not to scare. Feel free to share so more people can stay aware of this.