Cancer alert: Morning pillow marks may signal illness – what to watch for
A subtle yet significant warning sign of a serious health condition may appear on your pillowcases and bed linen in the morning, according to health professionals. Excessive night sweats that leave visible traces could be an indication of cancer.
Cancer symptoms can vary greatly depending on where the disease originates in the body. For example, a persistent cough might suggest lung cancer, while blood in the stool could indicate bowel cancer. However, some symptoms are less clear-cut and may be overlooked or mistaken for something else—such as night sweats.
It is normal to experience some sweating during sleep, influenced by factors like room temperature and whether you share a bed with someone. However, if you regularly wake up to find yourself, your pillow, or your bedding completely soaked, it is important to seek medical advice.
The NHS states: "Most people sweat during the night. If you regularly wake up with soaking wet sheets, you should get it checked by a GP. Night sweats are when you sweat so much that your night clothes and bedding are soaking wet, even though where you're sleeping is cool."
Cancer Research UK lists "very heavy night sweats" as one of the general signs of cancer. However, these symptoms may also be caused by medications or less severe conditions.
According to the charity: "Sweating at night or having a high temperature (fever) can be caused by infections or a side effect of certain medications. It's also often experienced by women around the time of the menopause. But speak to your doctor if you have very heavy, drenching night sweats, or an unexplained fever."
The NHS points out that certain types of cancer can lead to increased perspiration. These include:
- Kidney cancer
- Germ cell tumours
- Mesothelioma
- Leukaemia
- Advanced medullary thyroid cancer
- Carcinoid tumours
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Bone cancer
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Prostate cancer
Leukaemia Care reports that approximately 30 per cent of people diagnosed with leukaemia experience nocturnal sweating. "It is certainly not unusual to sweat during the night, especially in the summer when your room or bedding becomes too hot," the organisation notes.
"However, severe night sweats that occur to an extent that your bed sheets or pyjamas become soaking wet, despite sleeping in a cool environment, can sometimes be a sign of leukaemia."
The charity differentiates between regular night sweats and those associated with cancer. "You regularly have night sweats that wake you up at night—you may wake up drenched in sweat, unable to cool down even if your room is cool," Leukaemia Care explains.
"Many describe the feeling as if they had just got out of a swimming pool and laid down in bed."
The NHS recommends consulting your GP if:
- You're experiencing night sweats and unexplained weight loss
- Additionally, you have a high fever (or feel hot and shivery), a cough or diarrhoea
- You're having frequent night sweats that disrupt your sleep or cause worry
