Poor Sleep and Insomnia May Increase Cancer Risk in Younger Adults, New Research Suggests

Islamabad (News Desk) – Two major recent studies have found that poor or irregular sleep may be a significant factor contributing to the rising incidence of cancer among people under the age of 50.

According to available data, cancer diagnoses among younger adults have increased by nearly 80 percent over the past three decades. In 1990, approximately 1.82 million cases of early-onset cancer were recorded worldwide, a figure that rose to 3.26 million by 2019. During the same period, cancer-related deaths among individuals aged 40 and younger increased by 27 percent.

While researchers are still investigating the causes behind this alarming trend, a new study conducted by the renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, has identified sleep disturbances as a potential contributing factor.

The findings were presented at the annual conference of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, one of the world’s largest cancer research gatherings.

Researchers analyzed medical data from more than 18 million Americans between the ages of 18 and 50. The study found that individuals suffering from insomnia, insufficient sleep, or irregular sleep schedules faced a significantly higher risk of developing cancer at a younger age.

In some cases, people under 50 who had been diagnosed with insomnia were found to be up to three times more likely to develop cancer within the following five years compared to those without sleep disorders.

Although scientists emphasize that further research is needed to fully understand the relationship, the findings suggest that maintaining healthy and consistent sleep patterns may play an important role not only in mental well-being but also in reducing the risk of serious diseases such as cancer.