Dr. Monika Wassermann has raised concerns that body twitching could be an early warning sign of three serious diseases. While the NHS reassures that muscle and eye twitches are generally harmless and often caused by stress, anxiety, fatigue, caffeine, or medication, Dr. Wassermann, speaking to the Express, warns that twitching may also be linked to certain types of cancer.
1) Prostate cancer
2) Lung cancer
3) Breast cancer
She explains that brain tumors, for instance, can cause twitching. “Although seizures are commonly associated with epilepsy, brain tumors can interfere with neuron function, causing tingling, twitching, or muscle contractions,” she says. Tumors in areas like the occipital lobe, temporal lobe, or brain stem can lead to double or blurred vision, with eye twitching being a potential symptom.
Meningioma, a common type of brain tumor, can also disrupt brain functions by applying pressure. Dr. Wassermann notes that the frontal lobe, which governs decision-making, problem-solving, and concentration, can be affected. Tumors may also impact blood vessels or the spinal cord, with cancers like prostate, lung, or breast cancer spreading to this area.
Leukemia, a form of blood cancer, can also cause muscle twitches, jerks, or spasms, according to Cancer.Net. Cancer Research UK adds that up to 80% of individuals with brain tumors experience seizures, which may involve twitching or jerking in the hands, arms, legs, or the entire body. They recommend seeing a doctor or going to A&E if this occurs.
Vision issues can be another indicator of a tumor. Cancer Research UK notes that worsening vision, difficulty corrected by glasses, fluctuating eyesight, or loss of peripheral vision may signal a tumor, particularly if it leads to bumping into objects.