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Cancer and Cancer Treatment: Can it Affect Sleep?

Summary & Participants

People with cancer have a lot on their minds, which is why they may have trouble sleeping. But some cancer treatments can also upset sleep patterns. Learn what you can do to get a good night's rest.

Medically Reviewed On: June 18, 2008

Webcast Transcript

ANNOUNCER: There can be lots of reasons why people have troubled sleep. We know every day worries can disturb our nights, but when cancer is in the picture worries seem insurmountable.

JOSÉE SAVARD, PhD: First, they may worry about what would be the consequences of the diagnosis, will they be treated, what kind of treatments they will receive, what will be the side effects. And then, when the treatments are over, then they tend to worry about the future.

ANNOUNCER: There is a lot on the minds of people facing a diagnosis of cancer, which helps explain why 45 percent of cancer patients sleep poorly.

While good sleep keeps a well person functioning on all cylinders, it's particularly important for anyone using their emotional and physical energy to fight cancer.

SONIA ANCOLI-ISRAEL, PhD: During sleep, our body tries to heal itself. That's certainly one theory about the function of sleep. And so the more rested one can be, the better one can deal both with physical problems and with just your day-to-day life.

ANNOUNCER: It's also well known that cancer treatments are tough. There are often side effects from cancer treatments and they too can contribute to sleep loss.

JOSÉE SAVARD, PhD: Radiation therapy can lead to fatigue and people who are fatigued tend to spend too much time in their bed, so they tend to develop bad sleep habits that may precipitate insomnia problems. Hormones can bring hot flashes during the night, which may interfere with sleep.

Chemotherapy can also bring hot flashes, but it can also, as we know, bring nausea; people use antiemetic medications for that that can also precipitate sleep difficulties.

Pain is an important contributing factor, particularly in the context of advanced cancer. Pain can awake patients during the night, and also more pain is associated with increased sleep difficulties.

SONIA ANCOLI-ISRAEL, PhD: When patients have to go through their treatment during the day, it might be harder for them to tolerate some of the side effects if they're particularly sleep-deprived or particularly sleepy.

ANNOUNCER: Some cancers are bigger sleep stealers than others.

JOSÉE SAVARD, PhD: Breast cancer patients are particularly vulnerable to sleep difficulties. Lung cancer patients are also likely to present sleep difficulties. Some types of cancer and some types of cancer treatment can bring intestinal problems and also urinary problems that may interfere with sleep.

ANNOUNCER: Whatever the reasons, quality sleep can be elusive. And it can stay that way.

JOSÉE SAVARD, PhD: Our data suggests that most of the cancer patients with insomnia will develop chronic insomnia, which is having sleep difficulties for more than six months. So it is very important to offer them an appropriate intervention.

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