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Why People With Cancer Have Trouble Sleeping

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By Editorial Team

3 min read

If you have cancer or are a cancer survivor, you may have trouble sleeping. One study suggests that up to 95 percent of people who have cancer now or had it in the past may have some kind of sleep disorder or disturbance, such as insomnia. Insomnia is when you have trouble falling asleep, or struggle to stay asleep. It can disrupt your ability to do your job and live a normal life.1-3

What causes insomnia in people with cancer?

Insomnia and other sleep problems are common in people with cancer. There are many factors that can cause insomnia, including:3,4

  • Experiencing stress or anxiety around a cancer diagnosis
  • Cancer symptoms that can disturb sleep, such as pain
  • Side effects of any treatments you are receiving
  • Using certain drugs over a long period, or stopping them suddenly
  • Needing to stay in the hospital, and away from your home, for a long time
  • Being interrupted in the hospital for tests or treatments
  • Certain tumors that cause pressure on certain areas of the body
  • Other health conditions that are not linked to cancer

Why does insomnia sometimes affect childhood cancer survivors?

Research shows that about one-quarter of people who survived childhood cancer have insomnia symptoms. There may be several reasons for this link, but experts think a primary reason is the long-term side effects of cancer treatment.3

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Insomnia also may be caused by lasting stress and anxiety triggered by a cancer diagnosis in the past. Activities like staying up late and using electrical devices also can lead to insomnia in cancer survivors.3

Tips for improving your sleep if you have cancer

It is extremely important to get enough good quality sleep. Not only can insomnia result from cancer, but experts think it plays a role in causing it, too. Here are some tips for how to manage insomnia or other sleep problems you may be experiencing.2,3,5

  • Talk to your doctor about any symptoms that may be disturbing your sleep. These symptoms may include pain or problems with digestion, such as diarrhea. Treatments to help these symptoms may help you sleep.
  • Talk to your doctor about your sleep problems. They may be able to give you advice on how to sleep better. If you are currently receiving cancer treatment, your doctor may be able to change your treatment plan to reduce side effects that disturb your sleep. If you are in the hospital and you are struggling to sleep, ask the staff to interrupt you less during that time.
  • Try activities that might help you relax or think differently about sleep. These include treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or relaxation therapy. CBT can help you turn negative thoughts about your sleep into positive thoughts. Gentle yoga, doing deep breathing exercises, or drinking chamomile tea also may help.
  • Try changing your bedtime routine. Only go to bed when you feel tired. If you do not fall asleep, get out of bed and only return to bed when you are tired again. Try removing all light and noise from your room. Consider using earplugs or an eye mask.
  • Try changing what you do before bed. Try not to eat a large meal, drink alcohol, or have caffeine before bed. Stop using your phone or watching TV an hour or 2 before bed.

Your doctor may prescribe drugs or recommend supplements that help you sleep. These typically are taken for a short time so they do not become a habit. They will not cure or get rid of the cause of insomnia. Your doctor can help you understand more about the cause of your insomnia and suggest activities that can help you sleep better.5

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