Scientists have raised the alarm that insomnia might be linked to rising cancer cases among young women. The concerning research found that women under 50 who suffer from the sleeping disorder are three times more likely to develop some type of cancer.
This comes as cancer cases among this demographic have steadily increased in recent years, with scientists increasingly believing that insomnia—which affects one in three adults at some point in their lives—could be fueling the rise. They believe it plays a particular role in hormone-related cancers in women.
The findings were discovered following a massive study conducted in the USA by scientists from Jefferson Health in New Jersey and the Ochsner MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Louisiana. The scientists analyzed data collected between January 2021 and January 2026 from 19 million people aged 18 to 50, including more than 413,000 who were diagnosed with insomnia.
Patients diagnosed with insomnia were three times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer within the next five years and had almost twice the risk of uterine cancer. The same women who struggled with sleep were also 57 percent more likely to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. All three cancers are hormone-related.
The researchers concluded that insomnia could disrupt hormone levels, potentially leading to an increased risk of cancer. Interestingly, no link was found between insomniac men and hormone-related illnesses such as testicular and prostate cancer. However, insomniacs of both genders were twice as likely to be diagnosed with bowel cancer, which has seen an alarming 22 percent increase in Brits aged 25 to 49.
Insomnia has also been linked to type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Researchers behind the study said the findings could help identify lifestyle interventions to reduce women's cancer risk.
Dr. David Garley, a GP and director of the Better Sleep Clinic, told The Times: "The impact of insomnia on several other conditions is of growing interest. There is thought to be possible links with cancer. However, the data sometimes shows association rather than cause, and is often conflicting." He added that many factors outside a patient's control could affect the likelihood of a breast cancer diagnosis, but "small actions" such as staying active, limiting alcohol, and attending breast cancer appointments can reduce the risk.
