Intractable Insomnia in a Woman with Otherwise Successful Treatment of Breast Cancer

Abstract

Sleep disturbance complaints are prevalent amongst patients with cancer. In the United States, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. Our focus is to review the sleep disruptions reported by women with breast cancer and particularly those who have undergone chemotherapy. We will examine co-existing symptoms of pain, depression, and fatigue that usually accompany a diagnosis of cancer and its effects on sleep. We will also review the components of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) that serve as the recommended first line treatment for the most common sleep complaint type of insomnia.