Women in graveyard shifts at higher risk of breast cancer

Female workers taking the graveyard shift are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer than their daytime counterparts, according to a US medical study.

"Women who work the graveyard shift may face an up to 60 percent increased risk of breast cancer compared to those who never worked during night shifts," according to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, based in Seattle, Washington.

Noel Colina, executive director of the Institute of Occupation Health and Safety Development, said that with the growth of call centers, more and more women are taking the graveyard shift, usually working from six in the evening to six in the morning.

This working arrangement poses health risks and can even increase the chance of breast cancer.

Citing the study, Colina said exposure to artificial light at night may affect the production of melatonin, which is mainly produced by the pineal glands during the night.

The study poses the theory that "night-time sleep deprivation or exposure to light at night somehow interrupts melatonin production, which in turn stimulates the ovaries to kick out extra estrogen — a known hormonal promoter of breast cancer."

"Aside from the increased risks of breast cancer, the menstrual cycle of women are also affected by night shifts," Colina said, adding that "painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea), absence of menstruation (amenorrhea) and heavy menstruation (menorrhagia) are conditions associated with women taking the graveyard shift."

According to Colina, this is the reason why pregnant women are not allowed to work during the night — because it can adversely affect her health and the unborn baby.

"Although the study isn’t conclusive, it provides us pointers on how to address and protect the occupational health and safety of working women at call centers," he said.

Colina suggested that companies provide free and regular breast cancer screening for their employees as well as seminars on how to prevent breast cancer.

Regular seminars should also be sponsored by the company promoting health and safety in the workplace.