Cancer Diary: Sleep Deprivation and Cancer
Probably, most people would not connect sleep deprivation and cancer, but some new research indicates there might be a connection. There appears to be as well a connection between sleep deprivation and obesity and between obesity and certain kinds of cancer. According to various research projects, long-term sleep deprivation can affect the body's biological clock, which controls sleep and other functions, potentially raising the odds of cancers such as breast, colon, ovarian, and prostate. Night owls can be particularly at risk. Exposure to light during overnight shifts for several years can reduce levels of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep and may also have a role in preventing cancer growth. Here are a couple of the websites: Does Sleep Affect Cancer Risk? | American Cancer Society and How does being a night owl impact quality of life and why? . For other Cancer Diary posts, click HERE . Blog editor's note: As a memorial to Carl, and ...