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Childhood cancer survivors prone to cognitive difficulties
Author: Jonathan Warren
Individuals who survive cancer in their childhood are at a higher risk of developing cognitive difficulties later in life due to sleep problems, according to a new study.
Researchers at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, USA, used data from 1,426 patients involved in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study to assess the potential link.
The results showed that over 20 per cent of those interviewed were affected by cognitive impairment, and those who struggled to sleep at bedtime were three to four times more likely to be affected by attention and memory problems on top of that.
Study leader Dr Kevin Krull explained: “Since survivors are already at increased risk for attention and memory problems, sleep loss and fatigue may make these cognitive problems worse.”
