Working night shifts and the links to cancer

Medical Mojo

Working night shifts has been classified as a carcinogen by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Denmark became the first country to provide compensation to women who developed breast cancer after working unsociable hours, such as nurses or cabin crews. The UK government has resisted similar legal claims and refuses to pay compensation.

Out of 78 cases reported in Denmark, 38 received compensation through their employers' insurance schemes. The evidence prompted the WHO to include circadian rhythm disruption as a probable carcinogen. Shift work involving circadian disruption is considered probably carcinogenic to humans. This led the Danish government to compensate shift workers with breast cancer, setting an example for other countries to follow.

Regular disruption of the circadian rhythm has profound consequences, with evidence showing elevated rates of breast cancer and colorectal cancer among shift workers. Exposure to light at night suppresses the production of melatonin, which is believed to possess anti-cancer properties. Research suggests that people who are blind are less likely to develop breast cancer, indicating a potential link between light exposure and cancer risk. Sleep plays a crucial role in the immune system's functions, as the body heals during sleep.

Sleep deprivation can severely impact the immune system, reducing the number of circulating natural killer cells. Furthermore, sleep disruptions stimulate the inflammatory process, which is exploited by cancers to facilitate their growth and metastasis. Studies have shown that sleep-deprived mice experienced a 200% increase in the speed and size of cancer growth. Despite these findings, many people are forced to work night shifts in a 24-hour society, risking their health.

The evidence underscores the dangers of shift work, and it is hoped that more governments will acknowledge these risks and compensate workers who have sacrificed their health.

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