Don’t lose sleep over this, but sleeping medication and cancer? Seriously?

Did you know that use of sleeping meds is associated with an increased chance of cancer? This is truly amazing news, and it will most likely be awhile before it is really understood. Understand what sleeping medications are we talking about here – virtually every medication for sleep being advertised today, along with a couple older drugs.

Details of the study
This study demonstrates that people who take the popular sleeping medications of today have a significantly greater likelihood of developing cancer. The study matched every factor that they could think of, so that use of sleeping medication was the ONLY known difference between the two groups.

The risk for lymphoma, lung cancer, colon cancer, leukemia, melanoma, bladder cancer, uterus/cervix cancer, and breast cancer was statistically higher for individuals taking sleeping medication. Further, the risk of developing cancer was higher for people taking sleeping medication than it was for people who currently smoke.

What do we learn?
Clearly, there is more to be learned here.  As mentioned in our earlier March 2012 post, this study describes a ‘correlation,’ which does not mean (necessarily) cause and effect. Time may help sort this out.

What should you do?
What does this mean for you? Well, it seems that it would be a good idea to stop taking sleeping medication if possible, especially if there is any family history of cancer in your family.

See Amy
And how will you get to sleep? Come in and talk to Amy. Try some acupuncture and Chinese herbs to help with your stress, pain, and sleeplessness.