Not getting enough sleep can contribute to a host of serious health problems, including heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. We can now add an increased risk of colon cancer to the list of things connected to chronic lack of sleep.
Sleepless in Cleveland
Researchers telephone-surveyed 1,240 adults who were scheduled to undergo a colonoscopy screening at University Hospitals Case Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Study participants were asked how frequently they has trouble sleeping and how much sleep they get per night.
After the participants had undergone their scheduled colonoscopy, the study authors looked at who was diagnosed with adenomas. Adenomas are growths in the colon that can develop into cancer if not removed during colon cancer screening.
Even after adjusting for other known risk factors for colon cancer, including family history of colon cancer, smoking, and measures of obesity, the researchers found that fewer hours of sleep were linked with higher risk of pre-cancerous adenomas.
Same Risk as Family History or Eating Lots of Red Meat
Compared with people who slept at least seven hours per night, those who averaged less than six hours of sleep per night were approximately 50% more likely to be diagnosed with adenomas.
The lead study author, Dr. Li Li, MD, PdD, pointed out that, "...the increase in risk due to less hours of sleep is comparable to the risk associated with having a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) with colon cancer, as well as with high, red meat intake."
No one knows exactly why lack of sleep may increase colon cancer risk, but Dr. Li commented that less sleep may mean less production of melatonin, which is a hormone that appears to have anti-cancer effects in the body. Another possibility is that lack of sleep can cause insulin resistance, and this change may be a link between less sleep and more cancer.
Make Sleep A Priority
In the United States' culture, it is a "badge of honor" to get less sleep. People often brag about how little sleep they need, equating needing sleep with weakness. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, not getting enough sleep is what causes weakness. Lack of sack time weakens immune function and makes us more prone to all sorts of illnesses.
Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to increase the odds that you get good sleep each night. If these steps don't help you better manage your insomnia, talk to your doctor. He or she can refer you to a sleep specialist if necessary.
