Cancer patients are particularly vulnerable to poor sleep quality, which directly influences their well-being. Sleep related issues also affect cancer survivors, with 40% of them experiencing persistent sleeping problems within the first 5 years from diagnosis. Playing an especially important role in cancer recovery, sleep quality cannot be underestimated.

Sleep quality is also fundamental for a healthy lifestyle and a balanced mental health status. One could argue that quality of sleep equates with quality of life. Lack of sleep may bring significant mood deterioration, together with fatigue, confusion, tension, and overall mood disturbance. Moreover, studies show how depression and sleep are in a bidirectional relationship, indicating a strict interconnection between them. Sleep deprivation may lead to depressive symptoms insurgence, while depression can cause sleep disruption and poor quality, creating a vicious circle.

For cancer survivors, sleep quality is as important as diet and mental health status, being a key player in their well-being. It effectively contrasts many side-effects of cancer treatment, influencing for example the degree of cancer related fatigue that patients experience. Cancer Related Fatigue (CRF) is a common side-effect of cancer and therapy, consisting of lack of energy and consequent exhaustion. CRF feels different from daily life fatigue and not comparable to pre-cancer tiredness, patients say. Nonetheless, good sleep quality helps in keeping CRF in check, while also tending to mental health status as a whole.

Sleep quality performs a vital part in a healthy lifestyle; therefore, its importance for cancer survivors is paramount. Have a look at our articles below to increase your awareness on this topic.