© 2001 by Oxford University Press
Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. 93, No. 20, 1557-1562,
October 17, 2001
© 2001 Oxford University Press
REPORT |
Night Shift Work, Light at Night, and Risk of Breast Cancer
Program in Epidemiology, Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, and Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle;D. K. Mirick, Program in Epidemiology, Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center;R. G. Stevens, Department of Community Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington.
Correspondence to: Scott Davis, Ph.D., Program in Epidemiology, Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave., N., MP-474, P.O. Box 19024, Seattle, WA 98109–1024 (e-mail: sdavis{at}fhcrc.org).
Background: Exposure to light at night may increase the risk of breast cancer by suppressing the normal nocturnal production of melatonin by the pineal gland, which, in turn, could increase the release of estrogen by the ovaries. This study investigated whether such exposure is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in women. Methods: Case patients (n = 813), aged 20–74 years, were diagnosed from November 1992 through March 1995; control subjects (n = 793) were identified by random-digit dialing and were frequency matched according to 5-year age groups. An in-person interview was used to gather information on sleep habits and bedroom lighting environment in the 10 years before diagnosis and lifetime occupational history. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by use of conditional logistic regression, with adjustment for other potential risk factors. Results: Breast cancer risk was increased among subjects who frequently did not sleep during the period of the night when melatonin levels are typically at their highest (OR = 1.14 for each night per week; 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.28). Risk did not increase with interrupted sleep accompanied by turning on a light. There was an indication of increased risk among subjects with the brightest bedrooms. Graveyard shiftwork was associated with increased breast cancer risk (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.0 to 2.5), with a trend of increased risk with increasing years and with more hours per week of graveyard shiftwork (P = .02, Wald chi-squared test). Conclusion: The results of this study provide evidence that indicators of exposure to light at night may be associated with the risk of developing breast cancer.
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  T. P. Burris Nuclear Hormone Receptors for Heme: REV-ERB{alpha} and REV-ERB{beta} Are Ligand-Regulated Components of the Mammalian Clock Mol. Endocrinol., July 1, 2008; 22(7): 1509 - 1520. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. S. Schernhammer, F. Berrino, V. Krogh, G. Secreto, A. Micheli, E. Venturelli, S. Sieri, C. T. Sempos, A. Cavalleri, H. J. Schunemann, et al. Urinary 6-Sulfatoxymelatonin Levels and Risk of Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women J Natl Cancer Inst, June 18, 2008; 100(12): 898 - 905. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. Nagata, Y. Nagao, S. Yamamoto, C. Shibuya, Y. Kashiki, and H. Shimizu Light Exposure at Night, Urinary 6-Sulfatoxymelatonin, and Serum Estrogens and Androgens in Postmenopausal Japanese Women Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., June 1, 2008; 17(6): 1418 - 1423. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. H. Wu, R. Wang, W.-P. Koh, F. Z. Stanczyk, H.-P. Lee, and M. C. Yu Sleep duration, melatonin and breast cancer among Chinese women in Singapore Carcinogenesis, June 1, 2008; 29(6): 1244 - 1248. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. Spiegel Losing Sleep Over Cancer J. Clin. Oncol., May 20, 2008; 26(15): 2431 - 2432. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 B. Jung and N. Ahmad Melatonin in cancer management: progress and promise. Cancer Res., October 15, 2006; 66(20): 9789 - 9793. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 T. Kubo, K. Ozasa, K. Mikami, K. Wakai, Y. Fujino, Y. Watanabe, T. Miki, M. Nakao, K. Hayashi, K. Suzuki, et al. Prospective Cohort Study of the Risk of Prostate Cancer among Rotating-Shift Workers: Findings from the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study Am. J. Epidemiol., September 15, 2006; 164(6): 549 - 555. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. T BROPHY, M. M KEITH, K. M GOREY, I. LUGINAAH, E. LAUKKANEN, D. HELLYER, A. REINHARTZ, A. WATTERSON, H. ABU-ZAHRA, E. MATICKA-TYNDALE, et al. Occupation and breast cancer: a canadian case-control study. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., September 1, 2006; 1076: 765 - 777. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. Patel Shift work, light at night and risk of breast cancer. Occup. Med., September 1, 2006; 56(6): 433 - 433. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. S. O'Leary, E. R. Schoenfeld, R. G. Stevens, G. C. Kabat, K. Henderson, R. Grimson, M. D. Gammon, M. C. Leske, and for the Electromagnetic Fields and Breast Cancer o Shift Work, Light at Night, and Breast Cancer on Long Island, New York Am. J. Epidemiol., August 15, 2006; 164(4): 358 - 366. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 T. Leise and H. Siegelmann Dynamics of a multistage circadian system. J Biol Rhythms, August 1, 2006; 21(4): 314 - 323. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. P. Pinheiro, E. S. Schernhammer, S. S. Tworoger, and K. B. Michels A prospective study on habitual duration of sleep and incidence of breast cancer in a large cohort of women. Cancer Res., May 15, 2006; 66(10): 5521 - 5525. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Chen, E. Schernhammer, M. A. Schwarzschild, and A. Ascherio A Prospective Study of Night Shift Work, Sleep Duration, and Risk of Parkinson's Disease Am. J. Epidemiol., April 15, 2006; 163(8): 726 - 730. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. E. Blask, G. C. Brainard, R. T. Dauchy, J. P. Hanifin, L. K. Davidson, J. A. Krause, L. A. Sauer, M. A. Rivera-Bermudez, M. L. Dubocovich, S. A. Jasser, et al. Melatonin-Depleted Blood from Premenopausal Women Exposed to Light at Night Stimulates Growth of Human Breast Cancer Xenografts in Nude Rats Cancer Res., December 1, 2005; 65(23): 11174 - 11184. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. A. Knight, S. Thompson, J. M. Raboud, and B. R. Hoffman Light and Exercise and Melatonin Production in Women Am. J. Epidemiol., December 1, 2005; 162(11): 1114 - 1122. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. K. Verkasalo, K. Lillberg, R. G. Stevens, C. Hublin, M. Partinen, M. Koskenvuo, and J. Kaprio Sleep Duration and Breast Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study Cancer Res., October 15, 2005; 65(20): 9595 - 9600. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
T. C. Erren RE: "OCCUPATIONAL MAGNETIC FIELDS AND FEMALE BREAST CANCER: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY USING SWEDISH POPULATION REGISTERS AND NEW EXPOSURE DATA" Am. J. Epidemiol., August 15, 2005; 162(4): 392 - 393. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
U. M. Forssen, L. E. Rutqvist, A. Ahlbom, and M. Feychting THE AUTHORS REPLY Am. J. Epidemiol., August 15, 2005; 162(4): 393 - 394. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. J.M. Hrushesky, R. B. Sothern, W. J. Rietveld, J. Du Quiton, and M. E. Boon Season, Sun, Sex, and Cervical Cancer Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., August 1, 2005; 14(8): 1940 - 1947. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. A. Gauger and A. Sancar Cryptochrome, Circadian Cycle, Cell Cycle Checkpoints, and Cancer Cancer Res., August 1, 2005; 65(15): 6828 - 6834. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 L. Kayumov, R. F. Casper, R. J. Hawa, B. Perelman, S. A. Chung, S. Sokalsky, and C. M. Shapiro Blocking Low-Wavelength Light Prevents Nocturnal Melatonin Suppression with No Adverse Effect on Performance during Simulated Shift Work J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., May 1, 2005; 90(5): 2755 - 2761. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. Filipski, P. F. Innominato, M. Wu, X.-M. Li, S. Iacobelli, L.-J. Xian, and F. Levi Effects of Light and Food Schedules on Liver and Tumor Molecular Clocks in Mice J Natl Cancer Inst, April 6, 2005; 97(7): 507 - 517. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y. Zhu, H. N. Brown, Y. Zhang, R. G. Stevens, and T. Zheng Period3 Structural Variation: A Circadian Biomarker Associated with Breast Cancer in Young Women Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., January 1, 2005; 14(1): 268 - 270. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. Filipski, F. Delaunay, V. M. King, M.-W. Wu, B. Claustrat, A. Grechez-Cassiau, C. Guettier, M. H. Hastings, and L. Francis Effects of Chronic Jet Lag on Tumor Progression in Mice Cancer Res., November 1, 2004; 64(21): 7879 - 7885. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. J. M. Hrushesky and D. E. Blask Re: Melatonin and Breast Cancer: A Prospective Study J Natl Cancer Inst, June 2, 2004; 96(11): 888 - 889. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. S. Schernhammer, B. Rosner, W. C. Willett, F. Laden, G. A. Colditz, and S. E. Hankinson Epidemiology of Urinary Melatonin in Women and Its Relation to Other Hormones and Night Work Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., June 1, 2004; 13(6): 936 - 943. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. C. Travis, D. S. Allen, I. S. Fentiman, and T. J. Key Melatonin and Breast Cancer: A Prospective Study J Natl Cancer Inst, March 17, 2004; 96(6): 475 - 482. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K.-A. Phillips, R. L. Milne, M. L. Friedlander, M. A. Jenkins, M. R.E. McCredie, G. G. Giles, and J. L. Hopper Prognosis of Premenopausal Breast Cancer and Childbirth Prior to Diagnosis J. Clin. Oncol., February 15, 2004; 22(4): 699 - 705. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. A. Fulop Integrative Tumor Board: Recurrent Breast Cancer or New Primary? Integr Cancer Ther, September 1, 2003; 2(3): 276 - 283. [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Zeeb, M. Blettner, I. Langner, G. P. Hammer, T. J. Ballard, M. Santaquilani, M. Gundestrup, H. Storm, T. Haldorsen, U. Tveten, et al. Mortality from Cancer and Other Causes among Airline Cabin Attendants in Europe: A Collaborative Cohort Study in Eight Countries Am. J. Epidemiol., July 1, 2003; 158(1): 35 - 46. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. S. Schernhammer, F. Laden, F. E. Speizer, W. C. Willett, D. J. Hunter, I. Kawachi, C. S. Fuchs, and G. A. Colditz Night-Shift Work and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in the Nurses' Health Study J Natl Cancer Inst, June 4, 2003; 95(11): 825 - 828. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 K. Kawakami, M. Kawakami, S. R. Husain, and R. K. Puri Effect of Interleukin (IL)-4 Cytotoxin on Breast Tumor Growth after in Vivo Gene Transfer of IL-4 Receptor {alpha} Chain Clin. Cancer Res., May 1, 2003; 9(5): 1826 - 1836. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 I. H. Kavakli and A. Sancar Circadian Photoreception in Humans and Mice Mol. Interv., December 1, 2002; 2(8): 484 - 492. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. K. Mirick, S. Davis, and D. B. Thomas Antiperspirant Use and the Risk of Breast Cancer J Natl Cancer Inst, October 16, 2002; 94(20): 1578 - 1580. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Blettner, H. Zeeb, I. Langner, G. P. Hammer, and T. Schafft Mortality from Cancer and Other Causes among Airline Cabin Attendants in Germany, 1960-1997 Am. J. Epidemiol., September 15, 2002; 156(6): 556 - 565. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. B. Thomas, R. A. Carter, W. H. Bush Jr., R. M. Ray, J. L. Stanford, C. D. Lehman, J. R. Daling, K. Malone, and S. Davis Risk of Subsequent Breast Cancer in Relation to Characteristics of Screening Mammograms from Women Less Than 50 Years of Age Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., June 1, 2002; 11(6): 565 - 571. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. Filipski, V. M. King, X. Li, T. G. Granda, M.-C. Mormont, X. Liu, B. Claustrat, M. H. Hastings, and F. Levi Host Circadian Clock as a Control Point in Tumor Progression J Natl Cancer Inst, May 1, 2002; 94(9): 690 - 697. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. Spiegel and S. Sephton Re: Night Shift Work, Light at Night, and Risk of Breast Cancer J Natl Cancer Inst, April 3, 2002; 94(7): 530 - 530. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. Kerenyi Re: Night Shift Work, Light at Night, and Risk of Breast Cancer J Natl Cancer Inst, April 3, 2002; 94(7): 531 - 532. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. Schernhammer and G. Colditz RESPONSE: Re: Night Shift Work, Light at Night, and Risk of Breast Cancer J Natl Cancer Inst, April 3, 2002; 94(7): 532 - 533. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. Davis, D. Mirick, and R. Stevens RESPONSE: Re: Night Shift Work, Light at Night, and Risk of Breast Cancer J Natl Cancer Inst, April 3, 2002; 94(7): 533 - 533. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
D. Porock and J. Gentry Re: Night Shift Work, Light at Night, and Risk of Breast Cancer J Natl Cancer Inst, April 3, 2002; 94(7): 530 - 531. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Hansen RESPONSE: Re: Night Shift Work, Light at Night, and Risk of Breast Cancer J Natl Cancer Inst, April 3, 2002; 94(7): 533 - 534. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 Night Shift Work: Risk Factor for Breast Cancer? Journal Watch (General), November 6, 2001; 2001(1106): 1 - 1. [Full Text]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. Hansen Light at Night, Shiftwork, and Breast Cancer Risk J Natl Cancer Inst, October 17, 2001; 93(20): 1513 - 1515. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|