Sleep disorders like sleep apnea do more than just make us cranky, such conditions are now seen to be associated with cancer and tumor growth. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Cancer Research revealed evidence that sleep fragmentation enhanced tumor size and increased tumor invasiveness. The causal link was found in the body’s macrophage regulation. Macrophages are your body’s “eater” cells. It is a white blood cell that consumes foreign and harmful invaders like infectious microorganisms. Unfortunately, this friend of the body can become deranged and become an enemy of the body- itself becoming overrun by foreign matter and used as a terrorist to the body, destroying health and bringing disease like cancer tumors and inflammation. The study reported in 2014 links sleep with healthy macrophage support and tumor management. It is vital that we address sleep disorders and avoid those things that prohibit a good night’s rest.
 

Hakim F, Wang Y, Zhang SX, Zheng J, Yolcu ES, Carreras A, Khalyfa A, Shirwan H, Almendros I, Gozal D. Fragmented sleep accelerates tumor growth and progression through recruitment of tumor-associated macrophages and TLR4 signaling. Cancer Res. 2014 Mar 1;74(5):1329-37. doi:
10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-13-3014. Epub 2014 Jan 21. PubMed PMID: 24448240. – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24448240