The study results stem from an analysis of long-term data on more than 823,000 men in the United States. The findings were scheduled for presentation Monday at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, in Washington, D.C.
Lack of sleep can inhibit production of melatonin, a hormone that affects sleep cycles. Low melatonin production can lead to an increase in genetic mutations, greater oxidative damage, reduced DNA repair and a weakened immune system, Gapstur said in an association news release.
Lack of sleep may also contribute to the disruption of genes involved in tumor suppression, she added.
It’s not clear why the link between limited sleep and higher death risk from prostate cancer wasn’t seen in men 65 and older. But, Gapstur suggested that the natural decline in nocturnal melatonin levels with age might possibly reduce the relative impact of lack of sleep.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends adults get at least seven hours of sleep a night.
Research presented at meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.