Prostate Cancer Risks Rise With Shift Work
http://www.mercola.com/2006/oct/7/prostate_cancer_risks_rise_with_shift_work.htm

Japanese researchers found that workers on rotating shifts were four times more likely to develop prostate cancer than those working regular hours, whether on day or night shifts.

Shift work has also been linked to an increased risk of breast and bowel cancers.

The study, which examined more than 14,000 workers over eight years, also found that night shift workers were at a slightly increased risk of prostate cancer. Eighty percent of the workers studied worked daytime hours, 7 percent worked nights, and about 13 percent rotated their work schedules from night to day.

The reason for the effects may be reduced secretion of the hormone melatonin in those who work irregular hours and, to a lesser extent, nights. Reduced secretion of melatonin has been linked to increased production of sex hormones, which help to regulate prostate tissues.


American Journal of Epidemiology September 15, 2006; 164(6): 549-555

BBC News September 17, 2006

Yahoo News September 13, 2006



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Dr. Mercola's Comment:


Our modern culture requires that many of us work completely unnatural hours. We need police and fire protection and health care workers to be available in emergency rooms.

Unfortunately, what many people who work these shifts don't realize is the incredibly increased risk they put themselves at for early death. You simply can't violate foundational biological rhythms and not pay a price.

Just because some genius developed the ability to create inexpensive artificial light a century ago does not give us permission to ignore centuries of biology, which dictate foundational biological processes.

Getting the right amount of sleep every day, and getting it at the right time, can make such a profound difference in your health. If you happen to be one of the unfortunate people who are involved in shift work I would encourage you to place a high goal to change that as soon as possible.

Personally, there are very few things that affect me as much as not getting a good night's sleep. I don't need much, but -- if I can get a good solid six to six and a half hours -- I have no problems going to sleep around 10 p.m. and bouncing out of bed at 4 a.m. to 4:30 a.m., ready and raring to tackle the day and achieve my goals.

It is also important to sleep in complete darkness. Many do not appreciate that the tiniest bit of light can disrupt your body's natural circadian rhythms, in addition to the production of melatonin by your pineal gland, which is why it's so important for you to sleep in complete darkness.

This is one of the primary reasons for this study's observed increase in cancer. Melatonin is a very powerful cancer controller and when you decrease your production of it your risk of cancer climbs.

Also be sure to get a healthy amount of sun, another important way to slash your risk of prostate cancer. Not only will it increase your vitamin D levels, but bright sun exposure during the day will help your body make more melatonin at night if you are sleeping in a dark room.

So, let's get your sleeping right and get to bed when you were designed to. If you are having trouble with sleeping I urge you to review my 29 secrets for getting a good night's sleep safely, effectively and without a drug, including:

Avoid before-bed snacks, particularly grains and sugars. This will raise blood sugar and inhibit sleep. Later, when blood sugar drops too low (hypoglycemia), you might wake up and not be able to fall back asleep.

No TV right before bed. Even better, get the TV out of the bedroom or even out of the house, completely. It is too stimulating to the brain, and it will cause you to take longer to fall asleep.

Wear socks to bed. Due to the fact that they have the poorest circulation, the feet often feel cold before the rest of the body. A study has shown that wearing socks reduces night wakings.

Reduce or avoid using as many drugs as possible. Many medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, may have effects on sleep.

Avoid caffeine. A recent study showed that in some people, caffeine is not metabolized efficiently, and therefore they can feel the effects long after consuming it. So an afternoon cup of coffee (or even tea) will keep some people from falling asleep.






Related Articles:


How You Can Beat Prostate and Breast Cancer Nutritionally

Daily Red Wine Cuts Prostate Cancer Risk By Half

Night Shift Increases Cancer Risk