Tag Archive for: Sleep Apnea and Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: The Overlooked Connection Between Sleep and Health

/in , /by

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: The Overlooked Connection Between Sleep and Health

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—a vital time to focus on early detection, support, and overall wellness. While most people think of screenings, treatment, and lifestyle changes during this time, one major factor often gets overlooked: sleep health.

At Comprehensive Sleep Care Center, we want to shine a light on the connection between sleep disorders and breast cancer risk, recovery, and survivorship.

Sleep and Breast Cancer: What’s the Link?

Research suggests that poor sleep, chronic insomnia, and circadian rhythm disruptions may contribute to hormone imbalance and inflammation—both of which can play a role in cancer development and progression.

Some key findings:

  • Shift work and circadian disruption have been linked to increased breast cancer risk.

  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) can elevate inflammation and reduce oxygen levels—placing added strain on the body.

  • Insomnia and fragmented sleep can weaken the immune system during and after treatment.

  • Poor sleep quality is associated with higher stress, fatigue, anxiety, and depression in breast cancer patients and survivors.

Sleep Disorders During and After Treatment

Cancer treatment can significantly impact sleep. Many patients experience:

  • Insomnia

  • Restless Sleep

  • Daytime Fatigue

  • Nighttime Awakenings

  • Snoring or Sleep Apnea

  • Pain- or stress-induced sleep issues

These sleep disruptions may not resolve on their own—and untreated sleep disorders can affect energy levels, healing, mood, and quality of life.

Why Addressing Sleep Matters for Survivors

Improving sleep can:

  • Boost immune function

  • Increase treatment tolerance

  • Reduce fatigue and brain fog

  • Improve mood and mental health

  • Support long-term wellness

A healthy night’s sleep is not a luxury—it’s a critical part of breast cancer recovery and survivorship care.

How Comprehensive Sleep Care Center Can Help

If you or a loved one has struggled with sleep issues during or after breast cancer treatment, you’re not alone—and help is available.

At Comprehensive Sleep Care Center, our board-certified sleep specialists diagnose and treat a wide range of sleep disorders, including:

  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea

  • Insomnia

  • Restless Legs Syndrome

  • Circadian Rhythm Disorders

  • Hypersomnia & Narcolepsy

We offer in-lab sleep studies, home sleep testing (HST), CPAP and oral appliance therapies, and behavioral sleep medicine.

Take Action This Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Getting screened for breast cancer is essential—so is protecting your long-term health by treating sleep disorders.

✔️ If you’re experiencing snoring, fatigue, or insomnia
✔️ If you’re in treatment or recovering
✔️ If your loved one is a survivor

Now is the time to schedule a sleep consultation.

Better sleep supports better healing.

Schedule an Appointment

Visit www.ComprehensiveSleepCare.com or call (703) 729-3420 to schedule your appointment.

Comprehensive Sleep Care Center is proud to serve patients at the following locations:

Breast Cancer and Sleep Apnea

/in , /by

Breast Cancer and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

In a recent study, the incidence of breast cancer among patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea was significantly higher than that of the control group. In particular, the incidence of breast cancer was higher among patients aged ≥65 years. The result suggests that OSA may be a risk factor for breast cancer in women.

Recent studies have shown that disturbed sleep and low blood oxygen levels during the night, which are common in obstructive sleep apnea, may play an important role in the biology of different types of cancers.

In people with the OSA, the airway closes completely or partially many times during sleep, reducing the levels of oxygen in the blood. Common symptoms are snoring, chocking or gasping for air, disrupted sleep and excessive daytime tiredness.

The study found that people who have more airway closures during sleep and whose blood oxygen saturation levels fall below 90%, are diagnosed with cancer more often than people without sleep apnea.

The researchers also found that cancer was more common among women than men.

The most common type of cancer among women was breast cancer, while prostate cancer was the most prevalent among men. While the study can’t prove that sleep disorders cause cancer, it does show that there’s an association between the two.

Women are under-diagnosed for sleep apnea at a rate of 6-to-1

So why are women so under diagnosed?

Some of the reason’s women aren’t diagnosed with sleep apnea may be:

  • Many women talk with their general practitioners about their sleep problems rather than a sleep specialist. Some these doctors have preconceived notions about what a typical sleep apnea patient looks like and may overlook the reported symptoms by women when they don’t fit the common portrait.
  • Women maybe be embarrassed and less likely to report loud, chronic snoring.
  • Women usually report different symptoms than men which may lead to a misdiagnosis.
  • Common symptoms of OSA seen in women-
  • Women are more likely to be prescribed prescription medications (such as anti-depressants) rather than be sent for a sleep study.
  • Men may be less likely to be observant to their bed-partner’s sleep disturbances than women are. Many men who seek treatment for OSA only do so because of concern by their bedpartner.

Getting a quality night’s sleep is more important than you may have realized. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends 7 or more hours of quality sleep a night. If you or your bedpartner are having any issues with sleeping or daytime sleepiness, make an appointment with our sleep medicine professions to get evaluated today. We are offering Televisits for new and returning patients. Give us a call and Say Hello to Sleep Again.