Is Obstructive Sleep Apnea a Novel Risk Factor for Cancer?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is an important disease characterized by recurrent blockages of the upper airway during sleep leading to breathing cessations (up to 100 times per hour); OSA is common and is widely under-diagnosed. OSA might cause cancer or lead to cancer progression, potentially mediated through low oxygen levels; however, evidence for this association is limited. This research study will use rigorous methods to determine if there is a potential link between OSA and cancer; specifically, we will link our large database of approximately 1800 patients with suspected OSA. We will assess rates of both prevalent and incident cancer as well as rates of specific types of cancer in these patients by linking to the BC cancer agency registry

Faculty Supervisor:

Najib Ayas

Student:

AJ Hirsch Allen

Partner:

Vancouver General Hospital

Discipline:

Medicine

Sector:

Health care and social assistance

University:

University of British Columbia