Sleep Apnea Causes Breast Cancer

http://doctorstevenpark.com/sleep-apnea ... connection

Your comments?

Dr. Park is brilliant in the field of sleep disorders, and advising folks in/re same. I've read his book, as have lots of us. However, this may be reaching a bit. How many studies have been done on this topic, and what are the size of the groups involved? Sounds like it may be reaching a wee bit.

wow! that's interesting

Good theorizing, the science he discusses dovetails everything else I've read over the years.

The science is logical, but theoretical. My question would relate to studies--is this a genetic predisposition, environmental, or other factors that link the two. Generally, Breast Cancer has been correlated with genetic and certain environmental factors--it would be interesting if studies show this to be true. Obviously, the body is a series of interconnecting systems, and cause and effect on one would impact another. I think the larger question may be "Is there a correlation between OSA and any type of cellular disease," based on the deprivation of Oxygen. sleep disruption, and malformation of the palate?

Autopapdude wrote:...the larger question may be "Is there a correlation between OSA and any type of cellular disease," based on the deprivation of Oxygen. sleep disruption, and malformation of the palate?

While some might consider these condtions and not diseases, the following: activation of RAAS inducing hypertension & contribting to/accelerating the pathobiology of diabetes, changes in levels of ghrelin (appetite control), increases in insulin & cortisol that affect glucose control and deposition of fat, increased intrathoracic pressure, increased level of fibrogin (sp?) that aling with endothelian disfuction lead to of fatty gunk in the blood vessels, dramatically increased production of inflammatory chemicals that appear at this time to be causative for many diseases and conditions. There have been several threads here discussing development of high-altitude sickness (caused by oxygen deprivation) from those sleeping near or above 8000'...this study discusses one scenario that occurs with sleep apena: http://eon.businesswire.com/portal/site ... ewsLang=en
And, if you carry the genetics for diabetes even if not activated (ie, you are not diabetic), within 5 years untreated sleep apnea results in diabetes for a huge number so it has to either trigger those diabetes genes or kill insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas...haven't read a study as to which it might be.

This article diminishes my respect for Dr. Park, and makes me more skeptical of anything he says even on the subject of sleep. The article does not contain any reference to medical research in the ordinary sense. Basically, what he says is that when he examines patients with a history of breast cancer, he often sees signs of sleep disorder. Not surprising, since his specialty is sleep disorders and most people who walk through his door presumably have a sleep disorder. It's a clear instance of "selection bias," in which using atypical data forces the conclusion in a predetermined direction. At the end Dr. Park comes close to saying, forget science, everything is connected:

However, rather than trying to explain breast cancer from a molecular, genetic, or organ level, wouldn’t you agree that it’s much more satisfying when you can explain this illness from a whole-person perspective? As much as Western medicine tries to deny it by fragmenting care to different specialties, we know intuitively that whether it’s the breast, the heart, the mind or the prostate gland, everything is ultimately connected.

I'm sure it's satisfying to a sleep specialist to explain everything in relation to sleep medicine, but it's a huge jump from saying everything is connected to saying that OSA causes breast cancer. Relying on what we know intuitively without solid, quantitative studies is the opposite of science.

I"ve also had a healthy respect for Dr Park - but forgive my skepticism on this one. It does rather dampen respect for some of his other observations. On the other hand, the fact that he is very, very thorough about exploring all avenues of therapy BEFORE recommending surgery instills quite a bit of respect and confidence in him.

So - no one walks on water. As always, take what is said with a grain of salt and go w/what you feel most comfortable with and confident in.

I left comments on Dr. Park's site about his having not differentiated between treated OSA and untreated patients. It's SO frustrating to read all the research out there that never says if the OSA group were on Cpap or not, and what difference to their future health it might mean!

[quote][/quote]
In my practice, anytime I see a patient with a history of breast cancer, I almost consistently see the following: cold hands or feet, unrefreshing sleep, an inability to sleep on their backs, and a severely snoring parent, typically with cardiovascular disease.


I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990 at age 44. This description fits me to a T. Interesting idea at least.

PS - not sure how you do this quote feature - new to site.

btesterman wrote:

In my practice, anytime I see a patient with a history of breast cancer, I almost consistently see the following: cold hands or feet, unrefreshing sleep, an inability to sleep on their backs, and a severely snoring parent, typically with cardiovascular disease.


I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990 at age 44. This description fits me to a T. Interesting idea at least.

PS - not sure how you do this quote feature - new to site.

Up at the top left hand corner of any poste there is a tab button that says "Quote" you click on that and it will start your reply with the quote.

karessamom wrote:Up at the top left hand corner of any poste there is a tab button that says "Quote" you click on that and it will start your reply with the quote.

Yup, not sure how you did it, btesterman, but the [/quote] should be at the end of the quoted material, not right after

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~ DreamOn

Life might have been very different (better) for me, had there been a doctor like Steven Park for me to visit thirty or forty years ago. Check out his mission statement at http://doctorstevenpark.com/about/my-mission .

I hope to get my wife and both of my adult children to visit him soon.