Sleep Problems
Understanding Sleep Struggles During Cancer Treatment
When you’re going through treatment, getting restful sleep is important…and difficult! Whether it’s trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early, sleep problems can be exhausting, both physically and emotionally. If these challenges happen at least three nights a week and last for over a month, you may be experiencing insomnia, a real medical condition that can impact your overall health. Unfortunately, you’re not alone—insomnia is very common among cancer patients.
What Causes Sleep Problems?
Sleep disruptions during treatment can be caused by a mix of emotional, physical, and environmental factors. Common reasons include:
Physical discomfort such as pain, hot flashes and night sweats, headaches, or nausea
Side effects from chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or other medications (e.g. pre-medications to treatment, such as steroids)
Worry, fear, or sadness
Sleeping in unfamiliar environments (like a hospital) or changes to your daily routine
What Can You Do Right Now to Improve Sleep?
While insomnia is complex, there are small steps you can take right away that may help. Consider the following strategies:
Establish a Routine
Watch What You Eat and Drink
Get Moving (But Not Too Late)
Create a Calm Sleep Environment
Reset When You Can't Sleep
When to Ask for Help
If sleep problems continue for more than a few weeks, don’t try to manage them alone. Speak with your oncologist or another member of your cancer care team. They can help:
- Rule out or treat medical or psychological issues that may be affecting your sleep.
- Adjust any medications that may be contributing to insomnia.
- Refer you to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)—an effective, long-term solution for managing insomnia.
- Determine if a short-term sleep medication might help. Always review potential drug interactions or side effects with your medical team first.
