(WXYZ) — Obstructive sleep apnea may be more risky than experts originally thought. New research shows it may potentially increase your risk of some cancers.
I was diagnosed with sleep apnea several years ago, so I know firsthand how it can impact your life. This condition can cause breathing interruptions and lead to complications such as high blood pressure, heart and liver problems, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
However, new research shows that obstructive sleep apnea may also increase your risk of certain cancers. Specifically, cancers of the kidney, breast, and digestive system.
But how can sleep apnea lead to cancer? People with this condition repeatedly stop and start breathing during sleep. When the airways become obstructed, oxygen levels drop. This lack of oxygen can produce molecules that damage and inherently change DNA, potentially causing harmful genetic changes. To protect itself, the body produces proteins containing molecules.
One of these is called vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 or VCAM-1. It helps tumor cells adhere to blood vessels, which leads to tumor growth and spread.
Research published in Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine They followed 1,990 sleep apnea patients for 13 years. Of these, 181 developed cancer. This represents approximately 9% of the participants. This is a significant percentage.
Blood samples were taken during the study. Higher levels of VCAM-1 were detected in a group of 427 patients, along with another important biomarker called endostatin. Both of these Higher levels are detected in patients who later develop cancer.
This study showed that as the severity of sleep apnea increased, the risk of cancer also increased. Specifically, for every 10-point increase in the apnea-hypopnea index (a measure of how obstructed the airways are during sleep), cancer risk increases by 8%. For more severe cases, such as an index of 20 to 40, the risk increases by 16%.
This raises the question of whether treating sleep apnea can help prevent these cancers. Treatment has been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and more. Therefore, it may also help reduce cancer risk, although more research is needed to be sure. If you have sleep apnea, we strongly recommend that you stick to your treatment plan or consult your doctor if you experience any problems. It will improve your quality of life and may even save your life.
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If you’re ready to quit smoking, you’re not alone. There are many ways to quit smoking. In this episode, Dr. Partha Nandi takes a closer look at smoking cessation, exploring the dangers of tobacco, the life-changing benefits of quitting smoking, and effective strategies to help you succeed. Learn how tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death and how you can help take control of your health. Join us on Sunday, October 13th from 1pm.
