Chemotherapy is known to have a number of side effects including hair loss, pain, appetite changes, gastrointestinal upset, skin & nail changes, fatigue and several others. The National Cancer Institute has published fact sheets for each of the well known side effects; however, one side effect not on this list is insomnia.
New cancer research published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology has examined the incidence of insomnia in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. In their study, researchers questioned 823 patients about their sleep habits while on chemotherapy. The results showed:
During the first chemotherapy cycle, nearly 37% of patients reported insomnia and 43% of patients were diagnosed with insomnia syndrome.
Cancer patients younger than 58 years of age were more prone to experiencing insomnia.
Breast cancer patients had the highest rate of insomnia.
Insomnia persisted during the first two cycles of chemotherapy in 60% of the patients.
Patients reporting symptoms of insomnia were more likely to also experience fatigue and depression compared to patients who slept well.
The study investigators concluded that insomnia in cancer patients is about 3 times more frequent than observed in the general population and that insomnia in cancer patients is under-studied, under-recognized, and under-managed.
This new research enhances our breast cancer awareness in regards to the side effects of chemotherapy. While much is known about these side effects, insomnia appears to be one that is not as recognized as most of the others. Increasing our awareness of this problem is the first step in fighting it. There are a number of medical and non-medical treatments that can help overcome insomnia. Some of the non-medical treatments include such things as exercising regularly, avoiding caffeinated beverages in the evening, not forcing yourself to sleep, adjusting the room environment, among others. The Mayo Clinic and eMedicineHealth both provide excellent articles on insomnia if you are interested in reading more.
Another way to increase your breast cancer awareness and learn about simple diet and lifestyle changes that you can make yourself to help reduce your personal risk of breast cancer is to read my book Fight Now: Eat & Live Proactively Against Breast Cancer at www.fightBCnow.com.
New cancer research published online in the Journal of Clinical Oncology has examined the incidence of insomnia in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. In their study, researchers questioned 823 patients about their sleep habits while on chemotherapy. The results showed:
- During the first chemotherapy cycle, nearly 37% of patients reported insomnia and 43% of patients were diagnosed with insomnia syndrome.
- Cancer patients younger than 58 years of age were more prone to experiencing insomnia.
- Breast cancer patients had the highest rate of insomnia.
- Insomnia persisted during the first two cycles of chemotherapy in 60% of the patients.
- Patients reporting symptoms of insomnia were more likely to also experience fatigue and depression compared to patients who slept well.
The study investigators concluded that insomnia in cancer patients is about 3 times more frequent than observed in the general population and that insomnia in cancer patients is under-studied, under-recognized, and under-managed.This new research enhances our breast cancer awareness in regards to the side effects of chemotherapy. While much is known about these side effects, insomnia appears to be one that is not as recognized as most of the others. Increasing our awareness of this problem is the first step in fighting it. There are a number of medical and non-medical treatments that can help overcome insomnia. Some of the non-medical treatments include such things as exercising regularly, avoiding caffeinated beverages in the evening, not forcing yourself to sleep, adjusting the room environment, among others. The Mayo Clinic and eMedicineHealth both provide excellent articles on insomnia if you are interested in reading more.
Another way to increase your breast cancer awareness and learn about simple diet and lifestyle changes that you can make yourself to help reduce your personal risk of breast cancer is to read my book Fight Now: Eat & Live Proactively Against Breast Cancer at www.fightBCnow.com.