Researchers found that obstructive sleep apnea may be associated with increased risk of cancer (1). Sleep apnea is characterized by low levels on oxygen in the blood as a result of intermittent breathing. In most scenarios the easy fix would be to get a CPAP device to pump air continuous through the night. The more difficult fix would be a intervention including fitness and nutrition components designed for weight loss. “The likely hero, I think, is fitness,” he (Gary Foster, PhD, of Temple University in Philadelphia) said, noting that another study has shown that even in the absence of weight loss, changes in fitness can drive changes in apnea-hypopnea index (2). There is no time like the present to begin!
Looking for more information on sleep apnea? Try one of these.
http://www.itamar-medical.com/WatchPAT/Patient/Sleep_Apnea.html
Disclosure: I am not in any way shape or form telling you to stop any treatment that your doctor is recommending. I do HIGHLY recommend discussing how an exercise program complete with a nutritional component can help with sleep apnea. If he says exercise will not help, find another doctor.
References
Smith, M. (2012). Sleep Apnea Tied to Hikes in Cancer, Death. MedPage Today. Retrieved from http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/ATS/32936
Neale, T. (2011). OBESITY: Sleep Apnea Cut With Weight-Loss Program. MedPage Today. Retrieved from http://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/OBESITY/28925.
