Getting some more shut-eye could ward off breast cancer.
A new study supports what many scientists have suspected — that missing sleep puts women at a greater risk of the disease.
Research out of Michigan State University reveals the hormone melatonin seems to stop the growth of breast cancer tumors, according to a new report published the Genes & Cancer journal.
Scientists grew cancerous tumors from stem cells in a lab using the natural hormone estrogen, as well as an estrogen-like chemical found in many plastic food packages. They found treating the cancer with melatonin significantly decreased the number and size of the tumors when compared with the control group of tumors that didn’t get melatonin.
Problem is, our brains only produce melatonin at night to regulate our sleep cycle — and our modern sleep-deprived work and internet-surfing cycle is wreaking havoc on our melatonin supply.
This backs a 2012 study that found women who chronically lacked sleep developed more aggressive breast cancers, and a 2013 report that found men suffering from insomnia had higher rates of prostate cancer.
“This work establishes the principal by which cancer stem cell growth may be regulated by natural hormones,” said James Trosko, a coauthor of the study at MSU, in a statement. “And (it) provides an important new technique to screen chemicals for cancer-promoting effects, as well as identify potential new drugs for use in the clinic.”
Developing treatments based on this new science is still years away, but try not to lose sleep over it in the meantime.
For now, focus on getting good, quality sleep to get that melatonin moving. The National Sleep Foundation suggests sticking to a sleep schedule of the same bed time and wake up time — even on the weekends — to get in a comfortable rhythm.
And wind down before bed by avoiding alcohol, cigarettes and heavy meals in the evening — or better yet, avoid screens and electronics for two hours before hitting the hay. Treat yourself to a relaxing bath or paging through a book, instead.
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