Late shift work is linked to cance

Yahoo! News ^ | November 29, 2007 | MARIA CHENG, AP Medical Writer

[rwbusa50]

LONDON - It was once scientific heresy to suggest that smoking contributed to lung cancer. Now, another idea initially dismissed as nutty is gaining acceptance: the graveyard shift might increase your cancer risk.

Next month, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the cancer arm of the World Health Organization, will classify shift work as a "probable" carcinogen.

That will put shift work in the same category as cancer-causing agents like anabolic steroids, ultraviolet radiation, and diesel engine exhaust.

If the shift work theory proves correct, millions of people worldwide could be affected. Experts estimate that nearly 20 percent of the working population in developed countries work night shifts.

It is a surprising twist for an idea that scientists first described as "wacky," said Richard Stevens, a cancer epidemiologist and professor at the University of Connecticut Health Center. In 1987, Stevens published a paper suggesting a link between light at night and breast cancer.

Back then, he was trying to figure out why breast cancer incidence suddenly shot up starting in the 1930s in industrialized societies, where nighttime work ...

[rwbusa50]

If you read the article, it will be seen that lighting at night is one of the suspects as the actual cause, but scientists tend to say "shift work." Lack of sleep is another suspected cause.

Either way, I can just envision OSHA eventually getting into this one and have to wonder what businesses will have to face in the future as the government comes to the rescue.

I once worked at a crabmeat processing plant when some state inspectors (I forget from what department) spent the day with us. One thing they did was to count the number of flies present at a given time. How that was done, I do not know. I was too busy getting the actual job done which included making sure the whole process was done in a sanitary manner.

Those men were not from OSHA. However, my boss would cringe if OSHA were mentioned.

[ClearCase_guy]

My old Gran always said that "Night air is bad air".

[L98Fiero]

Correlation, the new “science”. Pathetic.

[ElkGroveDan]

Sounds like something stirred up by Big Labor.

[CDHart]

Adelle Davis wrote decades ago the fluorescent lighting, such as that in offices and factories, destroys vitamins.

Carolyn

[Little Bill]

What about us aholes that made electricity for forty years or so? Most of us that worked the shifts were confirmed loonies.

[riri]

Most of the people I have known who work late nights have always told me they always have a few days where they get very little sleep. I’d imagine lack of sleep over long periods wreaks havoc on your immune system.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

Third shift work will be banned by the governmnet as hazardous to your health. All shifts in the mines will be banned of course!

[Our man in washington]

I’d love to reply to this thread, but I have to report to my overnight job where I am a human test subject for new CT machines. It can be pretty grueling work, but at least they allow cigarette breaks every 15 minutes.

[UCFRoadWarrior]

I have worked the late shift for nearly 10 yrs...

I have missed few days due to illness...I got sick more during a regular shift...

Once you work a steady late shift...your body adjusts.

Also less stress since the bosses arent there. Most stress is caused by your superiors...esp those who are total morons and clueless to the task at hand or the mission.

There are also fewer distractions...meaning you can get more work done

According to this “study” I should have died a few yrs ago

[Constitutionalist Conservative]

Yes, and because late shift work requires more lights to be turned on, it makes global warming worse. Lay 'em off, for the good of the planet!

[Clock King]

It will be great time to be a criminal.

[P8triot1]

My wife works a different shift everyweek by rotating backwards. Has done this for 17 years. I am sure it has affected her health and our life.

[RightWhale]

Always worked night shift and it was generally quieter. Lately though it seems everybody is up night shift, kids with cars and cellphones, and most of them are surprised to find others up at night. Those up at night are crooks, cops, PIs, those who actually have jobs at night, and those who find that interesting to watch.

[Route66]

I think it’s less the lighting at night causing something to happen to them and more the fact that, since they sleep during the day, they are woefully short on Vitamin D. Most recent studies show that those of us who live our lives in the daytime are still short of D and that increased cancer is among the risks for those who are. They also probably sleep less than most people who sleep at night and are chronically sleep short. Melatonin may play a role, as well.