Studies link sleep apnea to cancer

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Two new studies have linked sleep apnea and cancer.

An estimated 28 million Americans have the condition and many of them go untreated. The medical director at St. Vincent Sleep Center in Central Indiana said doctors already knew sleep apnea was tied to an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, heart attack and obesity. Now, cancer is on the list.

These two studies were very lengthy studies — one in Spain lasting about seven years, the other in Wisconsin, lasting around two decades. The studies looked at sleep apnea and its effects.

In Spain, the study found that people with the most severe form of sleep apnea had a 65 percent higher risk of cancer. These studies were observational, meaning they didn't specifically study the "hows and whys." It’s still unknown what forms of cancer sleep apnea patients are at a higher risk of getting and what the trigger is.

Dr. Praveen Vohra, medical director with the St. Vincent Sleep Center, said this is one more reason for this condition to be diagnosed and treated.

"It’s a hidden problem. It happens at night. There are a lot of patients that have no idea that they have it until someone brings it up to them, so it’s extremely important. It’s a devastating disease,” Dr. Vohra said. “It does lead to a lot of other problems, other organ systems getting involved and then leading to a poorer quality of life or even death at a younger than expected age."

Not only are there health effects, but social effects as well like not being able to keep a job, lower productivity and car accidents. Dr. Vohra strongly advised everyone to consult a physician if you think you have sleep apnea.