Many of us will have seen the headlines claiming women who are early risers have a lower risk of breast cancer. Some of the coverage even suggests women should adjust their sleeping patterns. But it’s far too soon to make these claims.

There is no doubt that sleep can have an impact on our physical health. But its effect on cancer risk is more complex.

The headlines stem from a study funded by Cancer Research UK that looked at data on genes which may determine whether women are natural risers or night owls and cases of breast cancer. Researchers took into account other things that influence risk, such as family history of breast cancer.

Previous research has suggested that sleeping patterns can affect breast cancer risk but this study aimed to explore whether these patterns can actually cause the disease. And initial results suggest that women whose genetics may make them naturally early risers have a reduced risk of breast cancer, compared with those who may naturally be more active at night and wake up later in the morning.

But it’s not all down to genetics. As with most early research findings, we must be cautious before giving out public health advice. Encouraging women to adjust their sleeping patterns – as some headlines trumpeted – is misleading.

First, the study didn’t look at women’s actual sleeping patterns. Although participants were asked if they considered themselves to be “morning” or “evening” people, their actual behaviour, such as when they got up and when they went to bed, wasn’t recorded.

Genetic information such as that used in this study can be useful in understanding behaviour. But the role of genetics in behaviour is complex and many other factors may influence sleeping patterns. For example, if people work late they may be more likely to wake up later, even if their genetics suggest they are naturally early risers.

How our genes play out in life is complex. Just because genetic predisposition suggests a woman is likely to wake up early doesn’t mean she will. Although these genetic variants are linked to sleeping patterns, it’s not clear what impact they are really having in the body.

So understanding this better is an important next step. This is essential before any advice can be given about adjusting sleeping patterns. For instance, genes that influence sleep could also influence other things, such as physical activity, so a reduced risk of breast cancer may not be directly related to sleeping patterns.

Advances in science and technology provide huge opportunity to explore how our genetics influence our cancer risk.

Studies such as these can provide important insights into who might be at most risk of cancer and how we can take preventive action to reduce cancer risk. But media coverage that skims the surface of a complex study and turns it into concrete public health advice is a hazard to beware of in scientific reporting.

We know that keeping a healthy weight and drinking less alcohol reduces the risk of breast cancer. But as yet it is not true to say that jumping out of bed at the crack of dawn will stop women developing the disease.

As always with sound scientific reporting it’s vital that health advice is based on the best available evidence, not the most arresting headline.

• Georgina Hill is a health information officer at Cancer Research UK