Side effects
Sleep problems
Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or sleeping too much is common during cancer treatment. Better sleep can help with fatigue, mood and coping.
Why it happens
Pain, anxiety or depression, hot flashes, needing to urinate at night, breathing problems, and medicines such as steroids can all make it hard to sleep. Long naps during the day can also make sleeping at night harder.
What helps
- Keep a routine: go to bed and get up at the same time each day.
- Make your bedroom restful: dark, quiet and cool.
- Limit caffeine after noon, and avoid alcohol close to bedtime.
- Keep naps short, under an hour and earlier in the day.
- Wind down with relaxation, reading or calm music, and put screens away before bed.
- Stay active during the day, as you’re able.
When to call your care team
Tell your care team if poor sleep lasts more than a few weeks, or if pain, breathing problems or worry are keeping you awake. Treatment, including counseling, can help.
Questions to ask your care team
Bring these to your next visit, or write down your own.
- Could my medicines be affecting my sleep?
- Can the timing of my steroid doses be changed?
- Would counseling or a sleep program help?
Go deeper
More detailed information
For more clinical detail, our affiliate, Northside Hospital Cancer Institute, covers this topic in depth.
Sleep problems and cancer treatment (National Cancer Institute)Sources
This page is for general education and does not replace advice from your doctor or care team. Last updated October 26, 2026.