The association between sleep disorder and risk of early-onset colorectal cancer: A narrative review

Abstract

Sleep patterns and circadian rhythms play pivotal roles in human health, and their disruption has been associated with various adverse outcomes. This comprehensive narrative review focuses on the early-onset risk of colorectal cancer (EO-CRC). We analyzed findings from epidemiological studies, revealing that sleep deprivation and circadian disruption are associated with an increased EO-CRC risk, potentially mediated by disrupted hormonal regulation, oxidative stress, and immune function in young adults. Moreover, lifestyle factors, including evening smartphone use (via blue light-induced melatonin suppression), smoking, and alcohol consumption, exacerbate circadian disruption (e.g., reduced rhythm amplitude) to further modulate EO-CRC risk. This review highlights the evidence hypothesized for the recent increase in EO-CRC and sleep disorder cases and their importance. It also underscores the potential for targeted interventions to mitigate EO-CRC risk by considering sleep and circadian health as integral components of EO-CRC prevention strategies. It also underlines the possibility of targeted interventions to minimize EO-CRC risk by improving sleep and circadian alignment.