Poor Sleep Linked to Increased Cancer Risk in Under-50s, Studies Suggest

London. Poor or incomplete sleep may be a major factor in cancer occurring at a young age, two large studies have shown. In the last three decades, the incidence of cancer in people under 50 has increased by almost 80 percent.

In 1990, less than ninety-seven lakh people under the age of 50 worldwide had cancer, and by 2011, this number had increased to 32 lakh 60 thousand. Similarly, the death rate due to cancer in people in their 30s and 40s or younger has also increased by 27 percent.

Experts are still trying to find the reason for the rapid increase in cancer in young people. Meanwhile, research presented at the 'American Society of Clinical Oncology' annual meeting, the world's largest cancer conference held in Chicago, suggests that irregular sleep patterns in young people may be a major cause.

In two studies conducted by the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas, one of the world's leading cancer research institutions, health data of more than 1.8 crore adults in the age group of 18 to 50 years in America was analyzed. According to the researchers, people with poor sleep problems were more likely to develop bowel, breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer. In some cases, people under 50 years of age suffering from insomnia were found to have a three times higher chance of developing cancer within five years.

Researchers said that sleep disturbances could be an important and modifiable factor determining the risk of cancer at a young age. They stated that further research is needed on this subject.

Identifying the cause of the increasing rate of cancer in young people has now become a global health priority. According to research published in 'BMJ Oncology', more than 10 lakh people under the age of 50 die from cancer every year.

Although this study only showed a link between insomnia and cancer, he cautioned that there is no conclusive proof that cancer is caused by sleep itself.

Other experts not involved in this research have also welcomed this conclusion, but they said that more research is needed to better understand the relationship between insomnia and cancer. Claire Cuglan, Clinical Lead at Bowel Cancer UK, said that although bowel cancer is still more common in people over 50, evidence of its increasing incidence in young people is being found worldwide.

She said, 'Although it is not exactly known why this is happening, researchers are looking at it in conjunction with genetic and lifestyle factors. This study's conclusion that insomnia may be a potential risk for bowel cancer will help in understanding the reason behind this increase.'

Dr. David Garlie, Director of the Battersea Slip Clinic in Bristol, England, said that interest is growing in the subject of insomnia increasing the risk of other health problems, including cancer. However, he cautioned that this study only showed a link between insomnia and cancer, but there is no conclusive proof that cancer is caused by sleep itself.

His argument is that poor sleep weakens the body's immune system, and when the immune system is weakened, the risk of cancer increases. On the other hand, he said, if someone already has cancer but it has not been clinically detected, it may also be causing sleep disturbances.

Megan Winter, Health Information Manager at Cancer Research UK, emphasized the need for long-term in-depth studies on the relationship between insomnia and certain types of cancer. For the immediate future, she advised that people can reduce their risk of cancer by not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding strong sun exposure.

The Guardian