In a nutshell
This study looked at risk factors for sleep disturbance in prostate cancer survivors. It concluded that urinary symptoms, depression and anxiety affected sleep.
Some background
Prostate cancer is an uncontrolled growth of cells. These cells make up the prostate gland. Prostate cancer can be treated by medication, surgery or radiation. Medication aims to kill the cancer cells chemically. Surgery aims to cut out the cancerous tissue. Radiation therapy uses radio waves to kill the cancer cells.
Prostate cancer survivors can experience disturbed sleep. This can be due to effects of cancer treatment. These effects include urinary symptoms. Studies are being carried out to identify these risk factors.
Methods & findings
3348 men who survived prostate cancer were included in the study. These men were between 2-18 years after diagnosis. Sleep disturbance was assessed in a questionnaire. Quality of life was assessed by questionnaire.
19% of patients had disturbed sleep. Some factors were found to be associated with disturbed sleep. These were urinary symptoms, depression and anxiety, cancer treatment symptoms and bowel problems. Less education and other illnesses were linked with disturbed sleep in survivors.
The bottom line
This study concluded that urinary symptoms, depression and anxiety affected sleep in prostate cancer survivors.
The fine print
Sleep medication and sleep disorders were not considered in this study. This may affect the results.
What’s next?
If you are interested in learning more about effects of prostate cancer, talk to your doctor.
Published By :
Supportive care in cancer: official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
Date :
Jan 09, 2019
