Scientists have raised the alarm that insomnia might be linked to the rising cases of cancer among young women.
The concerning research has found that women under-50 who suffer from the sleeping disorder are three times more likely to develop some type of cancer.
It comes as cancer cases among this demographic have steadily increased in recent years with scientists increasingly coming to the belief that insomnia – which affects one in three adults at some point in their lives – could be fuelling the rise.
They believe that it plays a particular role in cases of hormone-related cancers in women.
It is hoped that the research might eventually provide better lifestyle interventions for younger people.
The findings were discovered following a massive study carried out in the US between scientists from Jefferson Health in New Jersey and the Ochsner MD Anderson cancer centre in Louisiana.
The scientists looked at data collected between January 2021 and January 2026 from 19 million people aged 18 to 50, including more than 413,000 who were diagnosed with insomnia.
Concerning research has found that women under-50 who suffer from insomnia are three times more likely to develop some type of cancer (file image)
Now it has been discovered that patients who had been diagnosed with insomnia were three times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer in the next five years, and had almost twice the risk of uterine cancer.
The same women who struggled with their sleep were also 57 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
All three of the cancers are hormone-related.
The researchers have concluded that insomnia could disrupt hormone levels, potentially leading to an increased risk of cancer.
Interestingly, no link was found between insomniac men and hormone-related illnesses such as testicular and prostate cancer.
However, insomniacs from both genders were twice as likely to be diagnosed with bowel cancer – which has seen an alarming 22 per cent increase in Brits aged 25 to 49.
Insomnia has also been linked to type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Researchers behind the study have said the findings could help find lifestyle interventions to reduce women’s cancer risk.
‘In this large, real-world cohort study, insomnia was associated with an increased risk of early-onset hormonal cancers more commonly affecting female patients,’ it said.
‘These findings suggest that sleep disruption may represent a clinically relevant, potentially modifiable risk factor in early-onset cancer risk stratification and warrants further investigation.’
Dr David Garley, a GP and the director of the Better Sleep Clinic, told The Times: ‘The impact of insomnia on several other conditions is of growing interest. There is thought to be possible links with cancer. However, the data sometimes shows association rather than cause, and is often conflicting.
‘There is increasing interest and evidence that shows links between insomnia and other health conditions. It’s extremely well documented with things like diabetes, cardiovascular disease and mental health.’
The doctor added that many factors outside of a patient’s control could affect the likelihood of a breast cancer diagnosis but that ‘small actions’ such as staying active, limiting alcohol and attending breast cancer appointments can reduce the risk.
