Friday, 31 January 2020

Can working night shifts put you at greater risk of cancer?

The United States Nurses' Health Study recently revealed results of a study indicating that extensive rotating night shift work over 15 years leads to a greater risk of developing haematopoietic cancer. Haematopoietic cancers, (the 2 most common types are leukaemia and lymphoma) account for 10% of all new cancer diagnoses.  While this study admits that several occupational, environmental, lifestyle, and physiological factors can lead to a higher risk of a cancer diagnosis, "it is speculated that night shift work may suppress melatonin, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle and is a powerful antioxidant."

To read more about this study, click here.  

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