Hormonal
The link between shift work and cancer (particularly breast, prostate, and colorectal) is less consistent and potentially confounded by lifestyle factors, with evidence suggesting a dose-response relationship with duration of exposure, especially for women.
For long-term shift workers, especially women, be aware of the potential increased cancer risk associated with night work. Mitigate this by minimizing light exposure during night shifts (use dim lights, blue-light blocking glasses) and maximizing darkness during daytime sleep. Regular health screenings are crucial.
There is less consistent evidence linking shift work to cancer... Meta-analyses have also identified dose-response relationships between night work and prostate cancer, and between night work and colorectal cancer.
Why this rating
Based on multiple meta-analyses with varying results (some significant, some not), and large cohort studies showing dose-response but with caution regarding causality.
Source
Working Time Society consensus statements: Evidence-based effects of shift work on physical and mental health
Cláudia Roberta de Castro Moreno et al. · Industrial Health · 2019
DOI 10.2486/indhealth.sw-1
More from this paper
- Long-term shift work, particularly involving night shifts, is strongly associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders (type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome), and gastrointestinal issues, largely mediated by circadian misalignment, sleep restriction, and adverse lifestyle behaviors.Good
- The negative health effects of shift work are mediated by a complex interaction of circadian misalignment, sleep restriction, and social misalignment, which leads to maladaptive lifestyle behaviors such as poor diet, reduced physical activity, and increased smoking/alcohol consumption.Moderate
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