While it’s common knowledge that disturbed sleep can reduce energy and alertness, a recent study suggests that sleep apnea may have more serious repercussions for cancer patients than you might think.
What the research shows
Researchers from the University of Chicago and the University of Louisville disrupted the sleep of mice using a motorized brush across their bodies – a disruption that most closely resembles sleep apnea in humans. Sleep-disrupted mice developed larger, more aggressive tumors than well-rested mice. Further, immune systems of the sleep-disrupted mice were less effective at fighting the early stages of cancer than the immune systems of the well-rested mice.
What does it all mean?
These findings suggest that fragmented sleep affects how the immune system deals with cancer in a way that makes the disease more aggressive. Although human studies are limited, there is growing interest among cancer and sleep researchers on the role of sleep therapies in cancer care, particularly cancer prevention.
So, if you or a loved one are dealing with a cancer diagnosis, don’t forget how important it is to get a good night’s sleep!