WESTERN NEW YORK – Getting an early start to the day may have a hidden benefit for women.
Researchers found sleep patterns may have an impact on a women’s risk of getting breast cancer and that women who are naturally early risers may be less likely to get the disease.
According to the study published in the BMJ, only one out of 100 women who identify as morning people got breast cancer; meanwhile two out of 100-night owls died from the disease.
Researchers also say women who get more or less than the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep are at a slightly increased risk.
These may seem like a small differences, but researchers say they are important steps in identifying the role sleep plays in over-all health.
Experts also say a natural preference of morning or night is genetic, meaning that simply modifying your sleep schedule won’t change your odds of getting breast cancer. Doctors say it’s better to cut down on alcohol and maintain a healthy weight, which are two well-established risk factors.
Experts did note there is still a lot to learn about a person’s sleeping habits and how it impacts their health.
Leave a Reply