Four years ago, we reported that women who worked the night shift seem to get more breast cancer. It will now be a relief to many workers to learn that a new study shows that working nights DOES NOT promote cancer.
Working the night shift doesn’t appear to increase the risk of developing cancer, according to a new study of Swedish workers. When earlier studies suggested that regularly working the night shift may increase the risk of developing breast, prostate and colon cancers, researchers thought the connection could be due to a decrease in the production of the hormone melatonin, which experiments show may have anti-cancer properties. Our bodies produce their highest levels of melatonin at night, during sleep, but exposure to light at night suppresses melatonin production.
That’s a relief! Women who work the night shift?like waitresses, nurses and bartenders?have enough trouble without having to worry about cancer.
Art credit: freeimages.co.uk
Some of the greatest women in history have served others, and Dreamland co-host William Henry celebrates their value to our culture, which has been lost to history. Coming up soon: another special Dreamland conversation between William and Anne Strieber, but this one is only for subscribers, so if you don’t want to miss it subscribe today!
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