Sleep Problems in People With Cancer

The simple versionExplain▾

When you have cancer, you may have a hard time sleeping. Trouble falling asleep and/or staying asleep—also called insomnia—is common among people being treated for cancer. In fact, studies show that as many as half of all people have sleep-related problems during treatment.

Tell your health care team if you have trouble sleeping, so you can get the help you need. There are steps that you and your team can take to help you sleep well again.

What causes sleep problemsExplain▾

Sleep problems may be caused by several things at once, including:

• the side effects of treatment
• medicines you are taking
• long hospital stays
• stress
• other factors

Because there can be more than one cause, it helps to talk with your team about what might be affecting your sleep.

Why a good night's sleep mattersExplain▾

Sleeping well is important for your physical and mental health. A good night's sleep may help you:

• think more clearly
• lower your blood pressure
• support your appetite
• strengthen your immune system

Sleep problems that go on for a long time may increase the risk of anxiety or depression. That's one reason it's worth telling your team early.

How sleep problems are checkedExplain▾

Your doctor, or a sleep specialist, can do an assessment to correctly diagnose and treat sleep problems. This may include a polysomnogram—recordings taken during sleep that show brain waves, breathing rate, and other activities such as heart rate. Because sleep problems can change over time, assessments may be repeated from time to time.

Ways to manage sleep problemsExplain▾

• Tell your doctor about problems that interfere with sleep. Getting treatment for problems such as pain, urinary and bladder problems, or diarrhea may help you sleep better.
• Try cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and relaxation therapy. A CBT therapist can help you change negative thoughts and beliefs about sleep into positive ones. Muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and self-hypnosis may also help you relax.
• Set good bedtime habits. Go to bed only when sleepy, in a quiet, dark room and a comfortable bed. If you don't fall asleep, get out of bed and return when you're sleepy. Stop watching television or using electronic devices a couple of hours before bed. Don't eat or drink a lot before bedtime. Keep active during the day with regular exercise, but avoid exercising in the few hours before bedtime, since it may make sleep harder.
• Ask about sleep medicine. Your doctor may prescribe sleep medicine for a short period if other strategies don't work. The medicine chosen depends on your specific problem—such as trouble falling asleep or trouble staying asleep—and on other medicines you are taking.

Talking with your teamExplain▾

Prepare for your visit by making a list of questions to ask. You might ask why you're having trouble sleeping, what problems to call about, what steps can help you sleep better, whether a sleep therapist could help, and whether sleep medicine would be advised for you.