Are Women with Sleep Apnea More Likely to Develop Cancer?

Understanding Sleep Apnea

Recent research has explored the connection between sleep apnea and cancer. In the United States, an estimated 50 to 70 million adults suffer from sleep apnea, which is categorized into three main types: obstructive, central, and complex. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most prevalent form. It occurs when the throat muscles relax during sleep, briefly halting breathing. This leads to decreased blood oxygen levels, prompting the brain to signal the need for more oxygen. Consequently, the individual gasps for air, disrupting their sleep cycle without fully waking, which prevents them from achieving the deep, restorative sleep essential for overall health.

Health Implications of Sleep Apnea

Research has established links between sleep apnea and various health issues, including chronic diseases, heart attacks, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. However, findings regarding the correlation between sleep apnea and cancer risk have been inconsistent, and there is a lack of studies specifically examining its effects on men versus women.

Research Study Overview

To address this knowledge gap, researchers from the University of Gothenberg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Sweden analyzed sleep apnea data from the European Sleep Apnea Database (ESADA). This database compiles clinical data from European sleep laboratories, including patient demographics, genetic information, and health complications related to sleep apnea.

The researchers focused on data from approximately 20,000 patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, of whom about two percent also had a cancer diagnosis. Their statistical analysis revealed a significant link between sleep apnea and cancer risk, particularly in women. The study confirmed that factors such as older age, being overweight or obese, smoking, and alcohol consumption further increased cancer risk. Notably, the association between sleep apnea and cancer was found to be two to three times stronger in women compared to men.

Insights from the Study Author

Ludger Grote, the study’s author and head of the Department of Sleep Medicine at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, remarked in a press release, “The condition of sleep apnea is well known to the general public and associated with snoring, daytime fatigue, and elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, especially in men. Our research paves the way for a new view — that sleep apnea may possibly be connected with increased cancer risk, especially in women.”

Future Research Directions

Researchers aim to conduct further studies investigating the underlying causes of obstructive sleep apnea and its relationship with cancer risk. They are particularly interested in determining whether specific types of cancer prevalent in women, such as breast or endometrial cancer, are more common among those with sleep apnea.

Ludger Grote emphasized, “It is less likely that cancer leads to sleep apnea.” For women experiencing obstructive sleep apnea, discussing various treatment options with their healthcare provider may help reduce cancer risk. Implementing lifestyle changes alongside treatments such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) masks could potentially mitigate the link between sleep apnea and cancer risk in women.

References

Pataka A, Bonsignore M, Ryan S et al. Cancer prevalence is increased in females with sleep apnoea: data from the ESADA study. European Respiratory Journal. 2019;53(6):1900091. doi:10.1183/13993003.00091-2019
Cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm6008.pdf. Published 2019. Accessed August 16, 2019.
Sleep apnea – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sleep-apnea/symptoms-causes/syc-20377631. Published 2019. Accessed August 16, 2019.
ESADA. Esada.med.gu.se. http://esada.med.gu.se/ESADA/login/login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fESADA%2fdefault.aspx. Published 2019. Accessed August 16, 2019.