Research has found a link between getting too much or too little sleep and an increased risk of developing lung cancer. Having lung cancer may also affect your sleep.
Getting enough high quality sleep is important for supporting your physical and mental well-being. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults get at least
Some research suggests that sleeping too little or too much may raise your risk of developing lung cancer. Getting too little or too much sleep may also negatively affect your survival or quality of life with lung cancer.
Read on to learn about the potential links between sleep and lung cancer.
Although research findings have been mixed, some studies suggest that sleeping too little or too much may increase your risk of developing lung cancer.
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A large 2022 analysis of people in the United Kingdom found that sleeping more than 8 hours per night was linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. People who had frequent difficulty sleeping and those who stayed up later on average also had increased lung cancer risk.
More research is necessary to learn whether differences in sleep duration or quality cause differences in lung cancer risk or survival. Although research suggests that there’s a correlation between sleep deprivation and cancer, more research is needed to determine whether it’s actually a causation.
You might find that you sleep less than usual or more than usual after developing lung cancer. You might find it harder to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up.
The quality of your sleep might also be negatively affected.
Multiple factors may affect your sleep, including:
- increased inflammation from lung cancer
- cancer symptoms or treatment side effects, such as:
- pain
- nausea
- shortness of breath
- mental health challenges, such as:
- stress
- anxiety
- depression
Napping during the day to manage cancer-related fatigue can also affect your sleep at night.
Insomnia
According to a
Potential signs and symptoms of insomnia include:
- difficulty falling or staying asleep
- waking up often or for longer periods while trying to sleep
- feeling unrested or tired, even after a full night’s sleep
Sleep apnea
Lung cancer may also raise your risk of obstructive sleep apnea. In this condition, your upper airway becomes blocked multiple times per hour while you sleep. This interrupts your breathing and lowers your oxygen intake.
Potential signs and symptoms of sleep apnea include:
- pauses in your breathing during sleep
- gasping for air while sleeping
- loud snoring
- feeling unrested, even after a full night’s sleep
Other risk factors may also increase your risk of insomnia, sleep apnea, or other sleep disorders. It’s possible for people with lung cancer to develop sleep disorders that are unrelated to the cancer.
A doctor can help you learn whether sleep challenges or changes in your energy level may be related to lung cancer or another condition.
It’s important to let a doctor know if you’re having trouble sleeping or feel more tired than usual.
A doctor might adjust your cancer treatment plan if they suspect that cancer symptoms or treatment side effects are affecting your sleep or energy levels. They may adjust your treatment dosage or prescribe a new treatment to limit symptoms or side effects.
They may also prescribe additional treatments to help you sleep or refer you to a sleep specialist if they suspect you may have a sleep disorder.
This includes:
- medication to treat insomnia or another sleep disorder
- continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy to treat sleep apnea
- cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or other counseling to help you manage or adjust feelings, thoughts, or behaviors that disrupt your sleep
Your specific treatment plan will depend on your symptoms and their underlying cause.
Making certain changes to your bedroom environment or lifestyle habits may improve your sleep.
For example, you might find the following strategies helpful:
- Sleep in a dark, quiet, cool place.
- Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
- Avoid alcohol, nicotine, or caffeine close to bedtime.
- Avoid eating or drinking a lot of fluids close to bedtime.
- Avoid looking at your phone screen, computer screen, or television close to bedtime.
- Develop a relaxing bedtime routine or use deep breathing, guided meditation, or other relaxation techniques to help you unwind before sleep.
Talk with a doctor or sleep specialist to learn about other lifestyle changes that may help improve your sleep.
They might recommend changes to your physical activity level. Regular low impact exercise may help improve your sleep, limit fatigue, and support overall health. But pushing yourself too hard may increase fatigue, and exercising too close to bedtime may interfere with sleep.
They might also recommend changes to your napping habits. You might find it helpful to nap for a set time during the day to manage fatigue or sleepiness.
If you develop lung cancer, you might find that symptoms or treatment side effects negatively affect your sleep. Anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges may also contribute to sleep difficulties.
Let your doctor know if you’re finding it difficult to sleep or feeling more tired or fatigued than usual. They may recommend changes to your treatment plan, lifestyle habits, or bedroom environment.
They may also refer you to a sleep specialist or other specialist for support.
Some research suggests that getting too little or too much sleep may increase your chances of developing lung cancer. It’s possible that getting too little or too much sleep may also affect lung cancer survival.
However, more research is necessary to understand the links between sleep and lung cancer.