For people living with cancer, sleep doesn’t always come easy.
There are a number of reasons why. Steroids and other medications taken during treatment can cause insomnia. Side effects like nausea, pain, hot flashes and frequent trips to the bathroom can disrupt a good 
night’s sleep, too.
Sometimes the emotional effects of cancer – like worry, anxiety or depression – can also cause a person to lose sleep. And, let’s face it. Few people sleep well in the hospital. It’s noisy, there are lots of interruptions and it’s just not home.
Sleep is Good in Many Ways
But, everybody needs sleep. Sleep is restorative – both physically and emotionally. For adults, the only time our bodies produce human growth hormone (HGH) is during deep sleep. HGH helps cells reproduce and repair. In other words, sleep helps your body heal.
Not only that, it helps boost your immune system, which is especially important for patients with cancer because some chemotherapy medicines can weaken your immunities.
Sleep can improve your mood and help you interact with your medical providers and caregivers in a more positive way. It can make you more open to treatment. It can also help you think more clearly, which is pretty important if you need to keep track of medications, appointments or need to recognize when to ask for help.
For patients with cancer – and for all of us – sleep just improves our quality of life. Period.
Sleep Disruption is Common with Cancer
Researchers believe nearly half of patients with cancer suffer some sort of sleep disruption. Many don’t ask for help, though, because they might think it’s a minor issue or they’re afraid of becoming addicted to sleep aids.
If you or a loved one is in active cancer treatment – or even if you’re not – don’t be afraid to mention sleep issues to your care team. The key is to ask for help.
Sometimes, over-the-counter medications or herbal remedies are all you need to improve your sleep. Be sure to check with your oncologist and PCP before you add either to your regimen. And, remember, just because something is labeled “herbal” or “natural,” doesn’t mean it’s safe.
For other people, your doctor may need to tweak the medications you’re taking to combat side effects. If your side effects improve, it’s possible your sleep will, too. Or, your doctor might suggest a prescription sleep aid. And, that’s okay. If they help you get the rest you need to heal, then you’re far better off in the long run.
Lack of Sleep Increases Chance of Having Some Cancers
There is some evidence of a link between insufficient sleep and the risk of cancer. In particular, people with circadian rhythm disorders—in which the body’s biological clock is disrupted because of shift work, for example—may be at increased risk.
A study in the International Journal of Cancer found a relationship between women’s irregular work schedules and the rate of breast cancer. Researchers compared 1200 women who had developed breast cancer between 2005 and 2008, with 1300 women who did not have a cancer diagnosis.
They found that the rate of breast cancer was 30 percent higher for the women who had worked shifts. Women who had at least four years of night shift work, as well as those with fewer than three night shifts per week (keeping them from ever fully adjusting to one schedule) were at highest risk. Shift work has also been shown to increase the incidence of certain cancers—for example prostate cancer—in men.
Researchers suspect that a disruption in the circadian rhythm could pose a risk for developing cancer, since the body’s internal clock affects so many biological functions. One theory is that the suppression of melatonin at night (which comes from exposure to bright light) could be partly responsible. Indeed, scientists have seen this link in animal studies; for example, when they manipulate the sleep/wake cycles of rodents for an extended time, cancers grow faster.
Tips to Improve Your Sleep
There are changes you can make, too, to improve your sleep.
- Keep a diary of food, activity and sleep to see if you can spot trends.
- Take your medications regularly and on time.
- Help your brain relax by decreasing electronic stimuli like the TV, computer and cell phone for at least an hour before turning in.
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and sugar.
- Listen to soothing music or self-hypnosis messaging. If one doesn’t work, try another.
- Identify five reasons you can’t sleep and see which ones you can eliminate. Does your spouse snore? Try sleeping in another room for a while.
- Try complementary treatments like acupuncture, massage or yoga.
We all want to feel our best. And, good sleep definitely plays a part in that, as well as in healing our physical body and improving our emotional health. If you or a loved one are struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep, contact us at Alaska Sleep Clinic today to see how our board-certified sleep specialists can help you.
