For decades, working the night shift has been an important part of many industries. Hospitals, factories, and even fast-food restaurants often operate 24 hours a day, which means that someone has to work the evening shift.

However, a new study has found that women who regularly work evening or night shifts could have a higher risk of developing cancer.

The Study

The study, which was conducted by researchers at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, looked at data from more than 100,000 women who had participated in the UK Biobank study.

The women were between the ages of 37 and 73, and they had provided information about their work schedules as well as any health issues they had experienced.

The researchers found that women who worked evening or night shifts had a 19% higher risk of developing cancer than women who had never worked the evening shift.

The risk was even higher for women who had worked night shifts for more than 20 years – they had a 41% higher risk of developing cancer than women who had never worked nights.

The Link Between Shift Work and Cancer

Although the study didn’t look at why shift work might be linked to an increased risk of cancer, there are a few potential explanations.

One possibility is that artificial light – especially the blue light emitted by electronic devices – can disrupt the body’s natural production of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep. This disruption can lead to sleep problems, which have been linked to an increased risk of cancer.

Another possibility is that shift work can disrupt the body’s circadian rhythm, the internal clock that regulates many bodily functions.

This disruption can lead to changes in the levels of hormones like cortisol and insulin, which can in turn affect cell growth and division. Cells that are dividing uncontrollably are the hallmark of cancer.

What This Means for Women Who Work the Evening Shift

If you’re a woman who regularly works the evening shift, this news might be concerning. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to avoid the risks associated with shift work.

However, there are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of developing cancer:.

Practice good sleep hygiene. Make sure your sleeping area is cool, dark, and quiet, and try to stick to a consistent sleep schedule.
Eat a healthy diet. A diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer.
Exercise regularly. Regular physical activity has been linked to a reduced risk of many types of cancer.
Get regular cancer screenings. Talk to your doctor about when you should start getting regular screenings for breast, cervical, and other types of cancer.

What This Means for Employers

For employers, this study should serve as a reminder that working the evening or night shift can have long-term health effects on their employees. Employers should consider things they can do to mitigate the risks of shift work, such as:.

Providing access to healthy foods and drinks at work
Encouraging physical activity during work breaks
Offering flexible schedules or job sharing programs that allow employees to avoid night shifts
Ensuring that employees have access to cancer screenings and other preventive care

Conclusion

The link between shift work and cancer is still not fully understood, but this study highlights the need for further research.

In the meantime, women who work the evening shift should be aware of the potential risks and take steps to reduce their risk of developing cancer. Employers should also take steps to mitigate the risks of shift work and ensure that their employees have access to the resources they need to stay healthy.