Fever and Cancer: Why Seniors Need to Monitor Their Temperatures 

Recently, we talked about why a fever during a child’s cancer treatment should not be ignored. Now, we’re taking a closer look at how fever shows up in older adults with cancer, a group that faces risks when it comes to infection and complications. For seniors, a fever isn’t just a symptom. It can be the only sign of infection.  

Why Seniors Are More Vulnerable 

As we age, our immune system slows down. The combination of cancer and treatments weakens the body’s ability to fight off infection. Here’s why fevers in older cancer patients need attention: 

• Weakened immunity: Many cancer treatments reduce white blood cells, especially in older adults. This condition, known as neutropenia, makes it much easier for infections to take hold—and spread fast. 

• Cancer-related fevers: Some cancers, especially blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, can cause fevers on their own by releasing substances that raise the body’s temperature. 

• Treatment side effects: Chemotherapy and radiation can trigger fevers even without an infection present. That makes it hard to know what’s causing the fever. 

What Makes Fevers Harder to Spot in Seniors? 

Fevers don’t always look the same in older adults. They may run lower than young people or come without chills, cough, or sweating. In fact, a fever may be the only clue that something is wrong. 

That’s why it’s important not to wait for more obvious symptoms to appear. For seniors, especially those undergoing cancer treatment, time is crucial. If you’re a senior with cancer or caring for someone, who has a fever should seek medical attention.  

Using an accurate and easy-to-use thermometer like the Exergen Temporal Artery Thermometer can help seniors or caregivers catch a fever early sometimes before other symptoms even appear. 

Our next post will focus on those with cancer who have underlying immune conditions and fever. Stay tuned as we continue our series on cancer and fever among different populations.  

Sources,  

• Cleveland Clinic, https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-cancer-patients-should-take-fevers-seriously 

• National Library of Medicine, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5291468/ 

• Patient Power, https://www.patientpower.info/navigating-cancer/does-cancer-cause-a-fever 

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