Mesothelioma Blog

According to a new study released by Dr. Edward J. Stepanski and colleagues in Memphis, TN, poor sleep exacerbates a number of side effects felt by cancer patients. These side effects include fatigue, pain and depressed mood.

While it would be simple to advise patients to simply get a better night sleep, the high levels of pain and other symptoms often make sleep difficult. The study concluded that more than 50 percent of the 11,000 cancer patients reported difficulty sleeping. Moreover, 26 percent reported moderate to severe difficulty sleeping. As a whole, this segment of patients also reported significantly higher levels of fatigue, pain and depressed mood.

Unfortunately, lack of sleep seems to be only one link in a recurring cycle of symptoms. Based on the study, sleep leads to pain, which hinders future sleep patterns and increases feelings of depressed mood and fatigue. Compounded, it can only be expected that poor sleep will continue and pain will continue to increase.

Younger participants in the study and those who had received recent chemotherapy treatments were more likely to report difficulty sleeping. This is likely because younger patients typically receive more aggressive chemotherapy regiments and are therefore exposed to higher levels of toxicity.

To circumvent the sleep/pain cycle, Dr. Stepanski suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy may serve to improve sleep. Additional studies are required to validate this theory.

Resources:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090415075046.htm
http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE53T6M820090430