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Network Journal 2008 Issue 1 Jan/Feb |
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Study links shift work to cancer
Shift work has been recognised officially as a ‘probable’ cause of cancer.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer arm of the World Health Organisation, has said it will classify overnight shift work as a probable carcinogen following an expert review of the evidence.
Several studies have found that women working at night over many years are more prone to breast cancer. Some research also suggests that men working at night may have a higher rate of prostate cancer.
"The problem is re-setting your body's clock," said Aaron Blair, of the US National Cancer Institute, who chaired IARC's October meeting that considered the shift work evidence. "If you worked at night and stayed on it, that would be less disruptive than constantly changing shifts."
Unions said the findings reinforced the need for businesses to develop good guidelines around shift work. According to the HSE, 3.5m people in the UK work shifts, but the current guidance does not mention the possible cancer risk.
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