1.biology.

Sleep apnea may make lung cancers more deadly

Summary:

A team of researchers from the University of Chicago and the University of Barcelona has found that sleep apnea makes lung cancer more deadly. Intermittent hypoxia or an irregular lack of air experienced by people with sleep apnea promotes the release of circulating exosomes. Exosomes are microscopic spheres that transport proteins, lipids, and other materials between cells. They are involved in cancer cell growth because when exosomes grow in number and change their content, tutors become bigger and metastasize easily. Obstructive sleep apnea has been associated with increased incidence of cancer and death. To investigate this, researchers took a detailed look at lung cancer tumour cell growth in mice. They exposed half the mice in the experiment IH to simulate sleep apnea while the other half had normal breathing patterns. The team found that “exosomes released in the mice exposed to IH enhanced the malignant properties of the lung cancer cells”. Sleep apnea’s variable oxygen levels cause damage that is even detectable at tissues level. Although factors exist, sleep apnea is shown to be an independent factor related to “adverse cancer outcomes”.

DISCUSSION:

The fact that sleep apnea may make lung cancer more deadly impacts, changes, or influences my personal choices because lung cancer is already one of the deadliest types of cancer, so if I get sleep apnea there won't be a big chance of surviving. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder when someone’s  breathing repeatedly stops and starts. People who snore may have a risk of sleep apnea. I don't think I will develop sleep apnea because I don't snore, so even if I do develop lung cancer the tumour growth by the release of circulating exosomes won't be as much. Though, I can avoid lung cancer by avoiding carcinogens, smoking, second-hand smoking, by exercising multiple times a week, and by having a healthy diet consisting of fruits and vegetables. The fact that sleep apnea may lead to lung cancer inspires me to do the things listed above and to also learn more about the causes of lung cancer and how sleep apnea happens to someone.

SOURCE:

Elsevier. “ Sleep apnea may make lung cancer more deadly.” ScienceDaily.ScienceDaily, 17 November 2016.

Www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161117204726.htm.