Eyes Wide Open: Sleep as a Potential Contributor to Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cancer

Abstract

Abstract U.S. racial and ethnic minoritized groups face disproportionate cancer burdens compared to White Americans. Investigating modifiable factors, such as sleep, that are socially patterned and inequitably distributed by race and ethnicity may advance understanding of cancer disparities and provide intervention opportunities. Emerging data suggest poor sleep health is associated with cancer. Yet, its contribution to racial and ethnic cancer disparities is understudied. In this narrative review, we explored the sleep–cancer relation through a disparities lens. We (i) summarized literature reporting on associations between sleep and cancer among racial and ethnic minority populations; (ii) examined potential sleep–cancer mechanisms; and (iii) discussed future directions. We identified five studies reporting on sleep–cancer associations among minoritized groups. Poor sleep health was associated with aggressive breast cancer among Black women, increased breast cancer risk among Asian women, and increased risk of breast and total cancer among Hispanic/Latinx Americans. Sleep and cancer disparities have similar socioeconomic and behavioral determinants, suggesting racial and ethnic minoritized groups may be vulnerable to poor sleep health and its adverse health impacts. Evidence indicates that the sleep–cancer disparities relation is an emerging, but important area of research that warrants further investigation, as sleep may be an avenue for reducing cancer disparities.