New Delhi, June 11: In a recent report, according to experts, women who suffer from insomnia and sleeplessness may have a substantial risk of ovarian cancer. Those suffering from this illness frequently wake up too early and find it difficult to fall back asleep. Even after waking up, they could still feel exhausted.

Dr Kinjal Kothari, Associate Consultant - Obstetrics and Gynecology at Manipal Hospital, Goa, stated, "Insomnia, commonly linked to stress and anxiety, may also play a role in the risk and survival rates of ovarian cancer patients. Research suggests that disturbed sleep patterns could heighten inflammation and weaken the immune system, potentially fostering cancer growth.”

According to a recent study in the Lancet, dealing with insomnia among women with high-grade ovarian tumours can increase their chance of survival. The study also suggested that ovarian cancer might be avoided by addressing insomnia. What Is World Ovarian Cancer Day? Symptoms, Causes & Treatment of the 'Silent Killer'.

He further added, “Patients may have sleep loss because of pain and pressure symptoms of the cancer. Side effects and complications of treatment, like nausea and vomiting, can also affect sleep. Developing tailored interventions, such as cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, could potentially improve outcomes for ovarian cancer patients by promoting better sleep and bolstering resilience against the disease.”

Dr. M.A. Raja, Director & Senior Consultant - Medical Oncology at MGM Cancer Institute, Chennai, stated that sleep disturbances, including insomnia, have been shown to worsen the prognosis of ovarian and breast malignancies and raise their risk. “Sleep is essential for the human body, intricately involved in endocrine, metabolic, and immunoregulatory pathways, which are also implicated in various cancers. These shared pathways may account for the increased risk of sleep disturbances among cancer patients, with insomnia being the most prevalent,” he added.

Both the incidence as well as severity of cancer are trending upward. Given this risk, there is an urgent need to research illness patterns and strategies for raising patient survival and quality of life.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 12, 2024 09:54 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).