Cancer and Sleep – The Connection

“Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise” is something that we have heard since forever. Although most of us try to shrug off a good night’s sleep as an optional part of our daily routine, we underestimate the impact sleep may have on our lives.

Sleep plays a very central role in human health and impacts nearly all bodily systems. Sleep affects the brain, the immune system, hormone regulation, metabolism and body weight along with cellular function and mutations in their lifecycle. These factors directly or indirectly impact the growth of cancerous cells in our body.

Sleep deprivation and cancer

Sleep deprivation begins as early as childhood. This is usually seen when we burn the midnight oil in our quest to get into better educational institutes or to enhance our career options. However, little by little, the lack of sleep catches up with us and in time disrupts many biological functions that are usually directed by our circadian rhythm. Exposure to light while studying or working overnight for many years can reduce levels of melatonin, which encourages cancer cells to grow uninhibited.

Stress and cancer

Lack of sleep often causes us to be irritable. When this lack of sleep continues for months or even years, we seem to get into this cycle of anxiety, depressive episodes, stress and hormonal imbalances. A study conducted at Yale found that these hormonal imbalances and an overload of stress can cause cells to develop into tumours.

Cancer and the digestive system

Sleep affects the digestive system in many ways, causing diarrhoea, constipation and many other chronic diseases. Research has shown that those who sleep less than 6 hours per night have a much higher risk of death than others. The short duration of daily sleep can put you at a greater risk of colon polyps that can soon become cancerous and to a higher likelihood of stomach cancer.

Sleep Apnea and cancer

Obstructive sleep apnea is significantly associated with a 15% increase in the risk of developing cancer. Additionally, severe nocturnal hypoxemia is also associated with an additional 30% risk of developing cancer.

How does sleep help in reduced occurrences of cancer?

• Cortisol – Sleep helps in the production of Cortisol, which helps the body to battle cancer. Our circadian rhythm is also connected to our cortisol rhythm, which peaks at dawn and declines throughout the day.
• Melatonin – The antioxidant properties of melatonin produced by the brain during sleep also lower estrogen production from the ovaries. Lack of sleep reduces melatonin levels, leading to increased risks of breast cancer in women.

Getting enough sleep

The first step towards getting enough sleep is simple. Ensure that you eat a well-balanced diet, do some moderate amount of exercise and ensure that you lead a stress-free life. If you wake up tired even after a good night’s sleep, it might be a good idea to get yourself tested for Obstructive Sleep Apnea – a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to potentially life-threatening conditions such as foggy memory, depression, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes.

Using a CPAP machine helps you sleep better by maintaining a positive airway pressure—which means that you get more air into your lungs, helping your brain and your body with the life-giving oxygen it needs. Additionally, sleeping better will automatically lower your risk of developing cancer.

In India, CPAP machines by manufacturers such as ResMed are brought to you by Sanrai – an innovative global distributor of medical products that are focused to ensure your good health. Sanrai puts its focus on ensuring quality products, timely service, and a world-class support system that is there for you when you need it the most.