Factors Associated with Sleep Disturbances in Women Undergoing Treatment for Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with sleep disturbance in women receiving adjuvant therapy for breast cancer. MethodsThis study employed a cross-sectional design using data collected at 3-months post-surgery from an ongoing longitudinal parent study. Adjuvant treatment groups included chemotherapy, radiation, aromatase inhibitor, and no adjuvant treatment. Symptoms were measured using the patient self-report measures. ResultsThe sample included 156 women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. There were significant differences in levels of reported sleep disturbance between treatment groups (p=0.049), with significantly higher levels of sleep disturbances in those receiving radiation compared to those receiving no adjuvant treatment (p=0.038) and in those receiving chemotherapy and those receiving no adjuvant treatment (p=0.027). Increased sleep disturbance was found to be a significant predictor for increased pain severity, nausea severity, anxiety, depressive symptoms, fatigue, decreased physical function, and decreased ability to participate in social roles and activities. Co-occurring symptoms with sleep disturbance differed between adjuvant treatment groups. Sleep disturbance was also associated with younger age (p=0.008). ConclusionsPatients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation for breast cancer report higher levels of sleep disturbance than those not receiving adjuvant therapy. Sleep disturbance is associated with other symptoms experienced by patients with cancer and thus requires continual assessment and future research into effective interventions.