Cancer patients often suffer sleep deprivation, which can significantly boost their anxiety levels and greatly depress their immune systems and interfere with their treatment and recovery, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of Granada found that significant sleep disturbances are often reported by patients with cancer before receiving a radiotherapy treatment.

The sleep problems may be associated with anxiety, the progression of cancer, prior treatments (such as chemotherapy), and other psychosomatic symptoms, they noted.

This study, published in the European Journal of Oncology Nursing magazine, is based on a survey of 105 cancer patients — most of whom reported high levels of insomnia and excessive tiredness during the day caused by a lack of sleep).

"Insomnia-related problems were significantly higher in patients with a more severe disease, which led to higher levels of hypnotic drug intake", said lead researcher Escarlata López.

As a result, the researchers said sleep loss "must be explored and included in the patient's clinical history in order to provide adequate guidelines to palliate said problems effects on the patient's quality of life."