Cold Weather Symptoms That Could Be Hiding a Deadly Cancer

Even though cancer and flu are different illnesses, doctors say they can share many common symptoms. Also, as cold weather approaches, it brings along a host of winter bugs, sniffles, and aches. However,

you need to be warned that at this time of the year, there are some cold-weather complaints that can be more sinister, indicating cancer. Many of the signs, like chills, can be signs of certain cancers, especially when they happen often or without a clear cause, like an infection. Blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma are most commonly linked to chills, since they may affect how your body makes and fights off infection. According to doctors, kidney cancer and other advanced cancers may also cause unexplained chills or fevers.

Chills

While chills don’t usually mean cancer, it is important to talk to your doctor if they are recurrent, severe, or accompany other unusual symptoms. Others, like fatigue, fever, body aches, or loss of appetite, can overlap, making it hard to know if what you’re experiencing is something minor or something more serious. And that is why it is always important to pay attention to symptoms that do not go away and talk with your doctor about the next steps.

Fever

Even though fever can have many causes, most of which are not related to cancer. But if it happens way too often, you must investigate it. Experts say fever is often your body’s way of fighting infection, but in some cases, it may also be linked to cancer. Blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma are the most common types associated with unexplained fevers. They affect the immune system, making the body more prone to fever even without infection. Even kidney and liver cancer can lead to fever, especially in more advanced stages.

Persistent cough

A cough usually happens as part of common cold symptoms, but if it lasts for more than three weeks, begins to change, gets worse, or involves coughing up blood, you must get it evaluated by a doctor. A hoarse voice that lingers for more than three weeks can be a symptom of laryngeal or throat cancer.

Breathlessness

While it is common with severe winter illnesses, doctors say unexplained or persistent breathlessness that occurs with normal activities can be a sign of lung cancer or fluid buildup around the lungs.

Extreme fatigue

It is normal to be tired sometimes or when you have a cold or in cold weather, but cancer-related fatigue is usually profound, persistent, and does not get better with rest. Doctors say it can be an early sign of cancers like leukemia or lymphoma.

Night sweats

Many people do get sweaty feelings at night or have a fever when hit by a cold or flu. But while it can be caused by infections or a side effect of certain medications, and often experienced by women around the time of the menopause, it can be a sign of cancer. Speak to your doctor if you have very heavy, drenching night sweats or an unexplained fever.