Is there a relationship between sleep and cancer? There is scientific evidence that lack of quality sleep can raise the risk of cancer especially in people who suffer from circadian rhythm disorders where the body’s internal clock does not work properly due to the shift of pattern in sleep. Apart from that sleep is also thought to be a preventive measure which can reduce the chances of getting cancer. There are many ways through which sleep and cancer are intertwined. If you are not getting sleep then invest on a good mattress to get quality shuteye.
What research says about cancer and sleep?
An International Journal of Cancer conducted a study on about 1200 women who had breast cancer and found that there exists a relation between irregular work shifts and breast cancer. Those working in shifts had 30% more chances of breast cancer than those who worked in a normal schedule. The women who were at the highest risk are those who worked night shifts for three nights a week. Even for men, shift work which disrupts sleep is highly prone to a specific type of cancers like prostate cancer.
The main reason behind that as per researchers is due to the irregular pattern of the circadian rhythm, its disruption can lead to cancer as it affects the functioning of the body. Scientists performed an experiment on rodents and proved that if the sleep-wake cycles are impacted for a prolonged period cancer grew faster and the reason being the reduced production of melatonin at night.
Various ways sleep and cancer are related:
Shift work affects sleep: When you work for longer shifts the biological clock which controls the body functions gets reset due to which it increases the chances of breast, prostate, colon, ovaries cancer. Moreover, while working at night people are exposed to blue light emitted by the screens and the overhead lights which results in the suppression of melatonin which raises the risk of cancer.
Too less sleep: Lack of good quality sleep due to various reasons is a common phenomenon these days. As per research, 1 out of every 3rd American gets less than 7 hours sleep every day and more than 15% of teens get less than the required amount of sleep. That puts them at the risk of chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes and also some type of cancers. People who sleep less are at risk of colorectal cancer, colorectal adenomas which can lead to cancer, breast cancer, etc. Thus it is essential to sleep on the best-rated mattress in India to get quality sleep.
Too much sleep: There is not much research on the effects of oversleeping but it is a symptom of mood disorders, depression, Alzheimer’s, obesity, etc. Some studies show specific cancers can be caused due to oversleeping. Women who have reached menopause are at a higher risk of liver cancer if they sleep for more than 9 hours every night. There are other researches which show increased risk of breast cancer in women.
Disrupted sleep: Poor quality sleep or restless sleep can also increase prostate, thyroid, and breast cancer risks. It is essential to maintain a regular sleep routine and also to use the best memory foam mattress to ensure proper sleep. Many sleep disorders like sleep apnea, insomnia which affect the quality and quantity of sleep can be avoided by following a healthy sleep pattern and buy the best mattress online.
There is a complex relationship between sleep and cancer, lack of quality as well as the right amount of sleep increases the chances of many physical and mental health issues. To get the best sleep invest on a mattress from Wakefit that provides the comfort and support required.
