Sleep challenges are common during and after cancer treatment—but you're not alone, and restful sleep is possible. This page is here to support you with tools, guidance, and compassion. Whether you're coping with anxiety, pain, or changes in routine, this page offers resources tailored to the unique sleep needs of people living with cancer.
Self Led Support
Sleepio
Sleepio is a six week clinically proven programme used to treat insomnia and is available free via the NHS. The NICE recommended programme uses evidence based cognitive behavioural techniques for insomnia in 10-minute sessions over six weeks to reduce anxiety and improve sleep.
Referrals can be made by the individuals via the website below.
Florence is an interactive text messaging service designed by professionals within the NHS to provide individuals living with cancer tailored support with several challenges, including sleep. Delivered over a 6 to 8 week timescale via the individual’s mobile phone, the service offers personalised texts 4 to 5 days a week.
Referrals: via your Cancer Nurse Specialist or Cancer Care Co-Ordinator.
Supported by Bed Advice UK established by the The National Bed Federation, The Sleep Charity has developed a brand new adult’s sleep ebook called Understanding Your Sleep. This brings sleep to the forefront of health awareness, through this free resource which explains what sleep is, common issues, and how to get quality sleep.
Keeping a sleep diary can help identify what is causing sleep difficulties, such as diet, exercise, and poor sleep hygiene. It is recommended that a sleep diary is kept over a two-week period, then if the patient requires a GP or healthcare professional they can produce evidence of their sleep-wake pattern which can help with a diagnosis and treatment.
The helpline provides access to trained sleep advisors. It is a confidential service, that would only need to share what the individuals tells them if there was a safeguarding concern. Available Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays 7pm-9pm and Mondays & Wednesday 9am-11am, excluding bank holidays.
The Sleep Charity podcasts offer expert advice, real-life stories, and practical tips to help listeners improve their sleep and overall well-being. Each episode explores topics like sleep disorders, mental health, and lifestyle habits, featuring insights from professionals and those with lived experience.
Occupational Therapists work with people of all ages who have a wide range of conditions, helping them overcome challenges completing everyday tasks or activities – including sleep. They work with the person as an individual, look at their environment, and may suggest equipment, lifestyle changes or relaxation techniques to help someone improve their sleep quality and patterns.
Referral: Patient may have been referred for prehab or rehab in cancer care across the Lincolnshire system.
Sleep Medical Advice Review
If sleep issues and ongoing, individuals have tried self-led improvements or sleep is impacting quality of life they should speak with their GP. They can assess those individuals with ongoing sleep difficulties recommending or referring to services and support such as Sleepio, Sleep Talkers, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Sleep Apnoea Clinics. In cases where these interventions are not successful medications can be prescribed and reviewed.
Referral: contact the GP.
Lincolnshire Talking Therapies
There’s a close relationship between sleep and mental health. Lack of sleep can affect mental health, but mental health problems can also affect how people sleep. Health professionals should enquire about both mood and sleep behaviour when making accessing any sleep issues. Ongoing poor sleep can be a huge risk factor for the development of mental health issues. If anxiety or depression is identified as an issue for the patient a referral to Lincolnshire Talking Therapies may help in addressing their sleep issues using CBT which has been shown to be effective.
Sleep apnoea is a sleep disorder in which pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep occur more often than normal. Each pause can last for a few seconds to a few minutes and can happen many times a night. There are four main types of sleep apnoea:
1. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA) – is a respiratory illness and the most common type, where the upper airway is narrow or has become blocked due to being obese or overweight
2. Central Sleep Apnoea (CSA) is an uncommon neurological illness, where the brain does not signal the respiratory muscles to breathe.
3. Mixed Sleep Apnoea is a combination of OSA and CSA.
4. Obesity Hypoventilation.
If Sleep Apnoea is suspected a referral should be placed by the GP or cancer team to the Sleep Apnoea Clinic.
If sleep problems persist or begin to severely affect your quality of life, it’s important to speak with your cancer care team. They can help identify underlying causes and connect you with the right support or treatment options.
Sleepio
Florence
Sleep Ebook
The Sleep Charity Sleep Diary
