Probably scarier than a boogeyman story, new research published in the journal, Nature Communications, show that cancer grows and spreads rapidly at night.

Researchers from the Weizmann Institute of investigated the relationships between different receptors in a cell. These receptors are protein molecules that can be found on a cell's surface and within it.

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They take biochemical messages secreted by other cells and transport them into the cell's interior, researchers added.

For this study, researchers focused on two receptors: the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and Glucocorticoid (GC).

EGFR are cell-surface receptors that promotes the growth and migration of cells like cancer cells while GC are steroid hormones that maintains body energy levels during the day.

Researchers explained activities promoted by EGF receptors were suppressed when GC receptors are bound to its steroid messenger.

They noted that during the day, a person's steroid level reaches its peak but drop- off during sleep. The receptors, however, become more active at night and dormant during the day.

To test their findings further, researchers administered Lapatinib, a next generation cancer drug to mice with cancer at night. Lapitinib has the capability to inhibit EGFR that prevents the growth and migration of cancer cells.

Their results showed it's more efficient to administer anticancer drugs at night because the drugs can inhibit the rise of GC steroids and hinder the growth of cancer cells.

Researchers said it seems to be just an issue of timing in administering the drug because cancer treatments are often given in the day.

They said evening is the time when the patient's body suppresses the spread of the cancer on its own.

They believe new treatments aren't needed but rather new treatment schedules for some of the current drugs to utilize their potential.