Researchers at Memorial University are going to be studying the sleeping brain of breast cancer survivors, and they are looking for people to participate.

Associate professor of psychology and oncology at the university, Dr. Shelia Garland, says insomnia is a common sleep disturbance observed in cancer survivors.

Dr. Garland says sleep problems often start after a cancer diagnosis for many reasons including worries about cancer, changes to routine and side effects of treatment.

The most effective non-medical-based treatment is cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia, which can be delivered over seven weeks. Dr. Garland says this is the first line of treatment for survivors struggling to get to sleep.

The study will use a device that is worn during sleep called the Cerebra Sleep System to measure the time spent in different sleep stages to provide insight into sleep quality and overall health .

Dr. Garland’s Sleep, Health and Wellness Lab is recruiting 24 breast cancer survivors in the St. John’s area to participate in the study.

More information about the study can be found online.