Sleep in lung cancer: The role of anxiety, alcohol and tobacco

Lung cancer patients constitute a subgroup of cancer patients most at risk for experiencing sleep disturbances. Anxiety is not a significant problem in this population, but may be blunted by alcohol use or smoking. The purpose of this study is to describe anxiety, alcohol use, smoking, and sleep disturbances in a sample of patients with lung cancer. Guided by the classic model of insomnia by Spielman, this study describes anxiety as a predisposing factor, alcohol use and smoking as precipitating factors, and perpetuating factors that maintain or exacerbate sleep disturbances. Nurses across all specialty areas should address these modifiable factors during encounters with patients with lung cancer.