Shift Work and Adverse Health Effects
There is increasing evidence that regular and prolonged work at night may result in adverse health effects including breast and other forms of cancer.
| Category | Workplace Wellness: Physical Health |
| Details | There is increasing research regarding the possibility that disruption of the normal circadian (24-hour) cycle may increase the risk of cancer. To date, the focus has been primarily on the effects of working at night. There is increasing evidence that regular and prolonged work at night may result in adverse health effects, including breast and other forms of cancer. The general mechanism that has been proposed to account for these effects is the disruption of the normal 24-hour circadian cycle. Lower melatonin levels may influence the development of cancer in a number of ways. At present, little is known about specific mechanisms. |
| Author | Scott Davis |
| Publication Date | April 2010 |
| Source | www.iwh.on.ca |
| Format | |
| Availability | Download presentation: Shift work and adverse health effects: possible biological mechanisms |
| Related Links | View information on Scientific Symposium The Health Effects of Shift Work |
