Start looking at your sleeping schedule to lower cancer risk
2 How are cancer and sleep are related?
A study conducted at the Stanford University has found a correlation between sleep and cancer. The scientist who performed the study says that sleeping habits of individuals seriously impacts the production of hormones and the balance of hormones in the body, which in turn can impact the progression of cancer in the body, thereby increasing cancer risk, if an imbalance is found in the production of hormones.
The balance of the hormones in the body is seriously dependent on the quality of sleep you get every night. Any interruptions in the sleep/wake cycle of any individual upsets the circadian rhythm. Since brain produces melatonin during the sleep, any interruption in this circadian rhythm may cause and influence cancer risk or progression, thanks to shift in melatonin production.
The only way to ensure balance of melatonin production is to have a balanced sleep of the requisite number of hours each night.
3 How to make sure you sleep well?
Having a regular circadian rhythm is necessary for your body to build a defense mechanism against cancer. Any interruptions in circadian or the sleep/wake cycle can cause the body to promote cancer growth.
Melatonin, a hormone secreted during sleep is responsible for suppression of harmful radicals in the body and also controls the production of estrogen which activates cancer cells in the body. Another important hormone released during the sleep is cortisol.
Cortisol helps the immune system of the body to stay in shape. This includes controlling the activity of immune cells which are in groups known as natural killer cells, these help the body fight and deal with cancer.
So having a good night’s sleep actually helps your body fight against cancer and lowers the risk of having cancer.