{"id":5663,"date":"2022-10-19T23:05:58","date_gmt":"2022-10-19T23:05:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bettersleep.org\/?p=5663"},"modified":"2022-10-19T23:05:58","modified_gmt":"2022-10-19T23:05:58","slug":"while-inadequate-rest-may-increase-the-risk-of-cancer-restorative-sleep-is-an-essential-part-of-its-treatment-and-recovery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bettersleep.org\/blog\/while-inadequate-rest-may-increase-the-risk-of-cancer-restorative-sleep-is-an-essential-part-of-its-treatment-and-recovery\/","title":{"rendered":"While inadequate rest may increase the risk of cancer, restorative sleep is an essential part of its treatment and recovery"},"content":{"rendered":"

While inadequate rest may increase the risk of cancer, restorative sleep is an essential part of its treatment and recovery<\/strong><\/h2>\n

BY TERRY CRALLE, RN<\/h4>\n

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Sufficient sleep is considered the cornerstone of health and well-being. Conversely, insufficient sleep has serious health repercussions, including an increased risk of stroke, depression, hypertension, heart attack, diabetes, dementia, obesity, osteoporosis, motor vehicle accidents, and on-the-job accidents and injuries. Recent research has demonstrated even more alarming downsides to sleep deprivation, including an impact on some of the most prolific cancers: breast, prostate, and colorectal.<\/p>\n

These are worrisome findings considering that skimping on sleep is all too common in today\u2019s fast-paced, 24\/7 world. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, adults \u201cshould sleep seven or more hours per night on a regular basis to promote optimal health.\u201d However, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others shows that many Americans are not coming close to those recommendations\u2014and at what cost?<\/p>\n

The sleep-cancer connection<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Our immune systems rely heavily on sufficient sleep to function optimally. Lack of sleep increases inflammation, which in turn increases the risk of cancer and other serious diseases. In fact, researchers have demonstrated that fragmented sleep directly impacts tumor growth. In mice that had disrupted sleep, tumors were twice the size of those in mice that slept normally.<\/p>\n

In one study, researchers found a 50% increased risk of colorectal cancer for people sleeping less than six hours per night, while some studies have linked a higher likelihood of stomach and thyroid cancers with short sleep duration. Other research has demonstrated that men with sleep problems are more likely to develop prostate cancer than men who consistently get sufficient sleep. A lack of sleep also has been associated with more aggressive types of breast cancers.<\/p>\n

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Sleep disruption in cancer patients<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As many as 30% to 75% of patients undergoing cancer treatment experience sleep problems. Insomnia and other sleep problems can result from side effects from medications, anxiety, frequent hospitalizations, work schedules, underlying health conditions, and family obligations. Insomnia is about three times more prevalent among cancer patients being treated with chemotherapy than in the general population. The results of a 2014 study found that the prevalence of poor sleep quality in stages I and II cervical cancer patients was approximately twice that of women who don’t have cancer.<\/p>\n

Despite the prevalence of sleep problems in cancer patients, one study found only 16% of cancer patients with insomnia informed their health care provider about the problem. In addition, patients, family members, and caregivers may not recognize the significance of these sleep disruptions on successful cancer treatment and recovery, and many patients fail to address their sleep during healthcare provider encounters routinely.<\/p>\n

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Sleep\u2019s role in cancer recovery<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Not only is sleep essential for the physically exhausting and emotionally draining aspects of treatment, but getting restorative sleep during cancer treatment is critical to fighting the disease. Sleep patterns influence levels of the hormones melatonin and cortisol, which can affect cancer progression. Insufficient sleep also leads to a decrease in natural “killer” cells that help fight cancer. According to Dr. David Gozal, a researcher at the University of Missouri, \u201cFragmented sleep changes how the immune system deals with cancer in ways that make the disease more aggressive.\u201d<\/p>\n

One study found colon cancer patients who complained of sleep problems and circadian disruption had worse survival rates. Dr. Amanda Phipps of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center notes that sleep is controllable for breast cancer patients and that \u201c\u2026sleep may be something we can encourage and promote to help women diagnosed with breast cancer improve their overall health and to potentially improve their prognosis.”<\/p>\n

The numerous physical, psychological, and cognitive benefits of sufficient sleep that support cancer treatment and recovery include:<\/p>\n