Sleep is a precious commodity, often overlooked or underrated when we make conscious health choices. The obvious menu of lifestyle factors that promote total health includes diet, exercise, clean air and water, and stress management. And yet, a growing number of studies now point to the importance of a good night’s sleep for physical and mental health, and preserving good brain function as we age.

I have previously written about a possible connection between poor sleep and increased risk for prostate cancer (PCa). In general, there is not a clear link overall between these two, but there appears to be an association between certain sleep styles and a higher incidence of PCa. As I noted in my earlier blog, worse sleep quality seems related with risk of more aggressive PCa.

A new study^[i] (April 2025) on sleep traits and cancer risk focused on three specific cancers: prostate, endometrial, and endothelial ovarian cancer. Their database included 8,608 cases of PCa (fewer cases of the other two types) and average follow-up time was 6.9 years. Their goal was to determine what, if any, sleep traits were linked with these cancers? The researchers identified six traits:

• Duration (length of time spent sleeping)
• Chronotype (are you a night owl or an early riser?)
• Insomnia
• Daytime napping
• Daytime sleepiness
• Snoring

With regard to PCa, statistical trends suggested only one trait associated with PCa and aggressive PCa, and that was evening chronotype. This type of person, also referred to as a night owl or wolf type, is less than a quarter of the adult population (estimates range from 15% up to about 26%, but mostly 15-20% in studies).

However, another idea occurred to me when I came across another recent study on screen use at bedtime.^[ii] Noting that for the past several decades average sleep quality has been declining, a news report states, “The study in JAMA Network Open found that 41% of adults reported daily screen use before bed, which was associated with both poorer sleep and about 48 fewer minutes of sleep each week.” This implies that a) it’s not only night owls who spend pre-sleep time with phone, tablet or computer, and b) users fall asleep later than they otherwise might. Is this the writing on the wall, pointing to more future PCa cases due to sleep disruption?

I doubt information yet exists that would satisfy my curiosity about poor sleep and PCa risk, but what about overall health and life expectancy? Research has indeed established a link between healthy sleep and longevity. For example, the American College of Cardiology has identified five healthy sleep factors that can add years to your life:

1. ideal sleep duration of seven to eight hours a night
2. difficulty falling asleep no more than two times a week
3. trouble staying asleep no more than two times a week
4. not using any sleep medication
5. feeling well rested after waking up at least five days a week.

Their published research found that people who had all five factors “…were 30% less likely to die for any reason, 21% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease, 19% less likely to die from cancer, and 40% less likely to die of causes other than heart disease or cancer,” e.g. accidents, infections or neurodegenerative diseases.

My interest in men’s health leads me beyond my clinical work in prostate cancer to my desire to promote healthy lifestyle choices, including sleep. The jury may be out regarding a clear link between poor sleep quality and PCa. However, there can be no doubt that a good night’s sleep– no, a GREAT night’s sleep—every night is incredibly beneficial on every level. Add to that the possibility that at some level it may lower PCa risk, and I’d call that a true value added.

NOTE: This content is solely for purposes of information and does not substitute for diagnostic or medical advice. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing pelvic pain, or have any other health concerns or questions of a personal medical nature.

References

[i] Chalitsios CV, Pagkalidou E, Papagiannopoulos CK, Markozannes G et al. role of sleep traits in prostate, endometrial, and epithelial ovarian cancers: An observational and Mendelian randomisation study. medRxiv [Preprint]. 2025 Apr 11:2025.04.10.25325598.
[ii] Anderer S. Bedtime Screen Use Costs Adults Sleep, Study Finds. JAMA. 2025 May 27;333(20):1763.