Shift work is associated with a range of medical problems, including an increased risk of cancer
Shift work is associated with a range of medical problems, including an increased risk of cancer.
“In fact, the WHO classified shift work as a possible carcinogen based on the epidemiological evidence that is accumulating,” says Professor Shantha Rajaratnam, a psychologist and neuroscientist who specialises in sleep medicine.
“More specifically, the epidemiological evidence [links] … increased risk of breast cancer with exposure to shift work in nurses,” he says.
Animal models show that exposure to light during the night supresses the hormone melatonin in animal models, and that is thought to be one of the biological mechanisms that increases risk of cancer because melatonin is thought to be protective.
“Shift work has been associated with a whole range of medical problems including increased risk of certain mental health conditions, particularly stress, anxiety, depression, as well as cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, increased risk, for example, of diabetes, obesity,” says Professor Rajaratnam.
[media_embed]https://player.vimeo.com/video/246922016[/media_embed]
