A study by the
World Health Organization has found that night shift work increases the
risk of cancer in humans. The study found that after prolonged exposure to
night shift work, women are at a higher risk to develop breast and colon
cancer. Men who work the night shift are more likely to experience prostate
cancer.
"Shift work that interferes with regular nighttime sleep disrupts
circadian rhythms, our body's natural clock," said Dr. Erhard Haus of
HealthPartners Research Foundation who chaired a subgroup of the study.
"This impedes biologic function by suppressing the immune system, reducing
melatonin production and may damage genes leading to the production of
abnormal cells."
Dr. Haus was part of a team of 24 scientists from ten countries who met
at the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France, to
assess the potential carcinogenicity of shift work, painting, and
firefighting. The workgroup analyzed several epidemiologic studies and
animal experiments. In addition to their findings on shift work, they
determined that overall, occupational exposure as a painter is carcinogenic
to humans. They also classified occupational exposure as a firefighter as
possibly carcinogenic to humans.
A preliminary report of the WHO International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC) will appear in Lancet Oncology, December 7, 2007.
Between 15 and 20 percent of the working population in the U.S. and
Europe are engaged in shift work, which is most prevalent in the health
care, transportation, communication, leisure and hospitality sectors.
HealthPartners Research Foundation
HealthPartners family of care includes HealthPartners Research
Foundation. Conducting about 250 research projects
each year, the Foundation is dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge
through research to improve the health of our members and the community.
Founded in 1957, HealthPartnersserves more
than one million medical and dental health plan members nationwide and is
the largest consumer-governed, nonprofit health care organization in the
nation, providing care, coverage, research and education to improve the
health of members, patients and the community.
Source: HealthPartners
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