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🌙 Sleep problems
What it is, what helps, and when to seek medical help.
General guidance only; it does not replace medical advice. Talk to your medical team before any decision about your treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Sleep problems: what is it and why does it happen?
Insomnia and sleep problems affect 30–60% of cancer patients. They are caused by anxiety, pain, medicines (steroids), night sweats, or changes to the body clock due to hospital stays.
Sleep problems: what helps?
- Keep a fixed sleep schedule — going to bed and getting up at the same time, including at weekends.
- Avoid screens (phone, TV) for 1 hour before bed.
- A cool, dark and quiet room improves the quality of your sleep.
- Relaxation techniques (deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation) help you fall asleep.
- Limit caffeine after 2 pm.
- If you wake in the night and cannot fall asleep within 20 minutes, get up and do something calm.
- Talk to your doctor — sleeping tablets or melatonin may be appropriate in certain situations.
Sleep problems: when should you seek medical help?
Insomnia lasting more than 2–3 weeks that significantly affects your quality of life, or extreme daytime drowsiness, needs medical assessment.
When to seek help
Insomnia lasting more than 2–3 weeks that significantly affects your quality of life, or extreme daytime drowsiness, needs medical assessment.
See all warning signs