Waking up in the morning and noticing these 4 signs—be cautious: They could be warning signals of cancer

Early-stage cancer often progresses silently, but the body still sends out early warning signals, especially in the morning.

Cancer is one of the most dangerous diseases today, not only because of its high mortality rate but also because it tends to develop quietly in its early stages. Many cases are only detected when the disease has already reached an advanced stage, missing the “golden window” for treatment. According to experts, the human body actually emits early warning signs all along; it’s just that we often take them lightly or mistake them for common, everyday disorders.

Dr. Nguyen Van Hoa, an oncology specialist with more than 20 years of experience, says: “Early-stage cancer rarely causes severe pain or obvious symptoms. Instead, the signs are often very subtle and easy to overlook. The morning—right after waking up—is when many abnormalities may become more apparent, because the body has just gone through a prolonged period of rest and metabolic activity.” Therefore, paying close attention to bodily changes upon waking each day is particularly important.

Below are four abnormal signs that may appear in the morning and that experts warn should not be ignored, as they may be associated with a risk of cancer.

1. Coughing up blood or blood-streaked sputum in the morning

Coughing up phlegm after waking up is common, especially among smokers or people with chronic respiratory diseases. However, if there are streaks of blood in the sputum—or even coughing up fresh blood—and this happens repeatedly, it is a sign that requires special caution.

In early-stage lung cancer, coughing up blood is a fairly typical symptom. Tumors are rich in blood vessels and can be easily damaged during coughing, causing blood to be expelled with sputum. Similarly, nasopharyngeal cancer can cause slight bleeding in nasal or throat secretions in the morning, which is easily mistaken for chronic rhinitis or pharyngitis. If unexplained hemoptysis persists for more than a few days, chest CT scans or ear–nose–throat endoscopy are necessary to determine the exact cause.

2. Persistent abdominal pain and bloating upon waking

Many people experience abdominal discomfort or bloating after waking up and often assume it is just mild indigestion. However, if the abdominal pain persists, does not improve after bowel movements or rest, or even worsens over time, it may be a warning sign of gastrointestinal cancer.

Cancers of the stomach, colon, rectum, or pancreas can all cause dull abdominal pain in the morning. After a long night without eating, the digestive lining becomes more sensitive, making pain or a feeling of fullness more noticeable. In particular, colorectal cancer may partially obstruct the intestines, leading to bloating, abdominal distension, and changes in bowel habits. If these symptoms persist, endoscopy and ultrasound examinations are needed to rule out malignancy.

3. Abnormal urine in the morning

Morning urine reflects the condition of the urinary system quite clearly. Normal urine is light yellow, clear, and does not have persistent foam. If you notice blood in the urine, a dark red color, or excessive foam that dissipates slowly, you should not take it lightly.

Painless hematuria is a common early sign of bladder cancer and kidney cancer. In the early stages, patients often feel no discomfort other than a change in urine color, so it is easily overlooked. Persistent foam in urine, on the other hand, may indicate declining kidney function—an important risk factor for serious diseases, including cancer. Urinalysis and ultrasound of the urinary system can help detect many dangerous abnormalities early.

4. Unusual fatigue and unexplained weight loss

After a night’s sleep, a healthy body usually feels refreshed and full of energy. Conversely, if you repeatedly wake up feeling tired and lethargic despite getting enough sleep, accompanied by rapid, unexplained weight loss, this may be a warning sign of cancer.

Cancer cells consume a great deal of the body’s energy and nutrients, causing prolonged weakness. At the same time, tumors can disrupt metabolism, leading to rapid weight loss even when dietary habits remain unchanged. This symptom can occur in many types of cancer, such as lung, liver, stomach, or pancreatic cancer. When fatigue and weight loss occur together, a comprehensive health check and necessary tests are extremely important.

According to experts, the presence of one of these signs does not necessarily mean you have cancer. The key issue lies in the persistence and recurrence of abnormal symptoms. Listening to your body, not dismissing subtle morning changes, and combining this awareness with regular medical checkups are the keys to early cancer detection and improving the chances of successful treatment.