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Cited by 201Sleep and Work-Related FatigueCircadian rhythm and melatoninImpact of Light on Environment and Health

Hypotheses for mechanisms linking shiftwork and cancer

Fritschi, L., Glass, D.C., Heyworth, J.S., Aronson, K., Girschik, J., Boyle, T., Grundy, A., Erren, T.C.·2011·Medical Hypotheses
DOI 10.1016/j.mehy.2011.06.002
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Abstract

Shift work has been associated with various adverse health outcomes. In particular, there has been a recent flourish in investigating potential cancer risk associated with working night shifts and other shift schedules. Epidemiologic studies have revealed generally weak associations due to several methodological challenges such as lack of standard classifications of shift or night work. The field also has been hindered by a lack of clarity about the possible mechanisms by which shiftwork could have an effect on cancer risk. One possible mechanism is reduced production of melatonin caused by exposure to light at night. Although there is a growing body of evidence that provides some support for this mechanism, several other mechanisms also make sense from a biological point of view. Further, the relatively weak magnitude of the associations between light at night and melatonin level suggests that multiple factors may be operating along the pathway between shift work and adverse health consequences (including cancer risk). Here we propose four additional mechanisms that should be considered for a comprehensive investigation of these potential pathways. These are: phase shift; sleep disruption; lifestyle factors (such as poor quality diets, less physical activity and higher BMI); and lower vitamin D. Consideration of all these mechanisms is necessary in order to design effective preventative workplace strategies. In developed countries, approximately 20% of the population undertake shiftwork and, while we are unlikely to be able to eliminate shiftwork from current work practices, there are aspects of shiftwork that can be modified and there may be facets of individual susceptibility that we may be able to identify and target for prevention.

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  • Epidemiologic studies that suggest light involvement in health risk mainly provide indirect evidence.

    “Therefore, epidemiologic studies that suggest light involvement in health risk 93, 94 mainly provide indirect evidence.”

    From The inner clock-Blue light sets the human rhythm (2019) · cites this paper as [93]

  • Variability in cancer findings may relate to individual susceptibility, occupational carcinogen exposure, and lifestyle.

    “The variability in these findings may be related to other contributing factors, such as individual differences in susceptibility to carcinogenesis, occupational exposure to carcinogenic agents, and lifestyle [68,69].”

    From Shift Work: Disrupted Circadian Rhythms and Sleep—Implications for Health and Well-being (2017) · cites this paper as [68]

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Authors
Fritschi, L., Glass, D. C., Heyworth, J. S., Aronson, K., Girschik, J., Boyle, T., Grundy, A., & Erren, T. C.
Affiliations
  • The University of Western Australia (AU)
  • Monash University (AU)
  • Queen's University (CA)
  • University of Cologne (DE)
Corresponding author
Fritschi, L.
ORCID
Venue
Medical Hypotheses
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2011-09
Volume
77
Issue
3
Pages
430-436
ISSN
0306-9877 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.mehy.2011.06.002
OpenAlex
W2017891854
Cited by
201
References
85
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 23 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 9
FWCI
19.43
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Medical Hypotheses (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UWA Profiles and Research Repository (UWA) (submittedVersion)
  • Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide) (submittedVersion)
  • eSpace (Curtin University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • National Health and Medical Research Council
  • National Medical Research Council
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Impact of Light on Environment and Health
Keywords
shift work, night shift work, cancer risk, melatonin suppression, light at night, circadian phase shift, sleep disruption, lifestyle factors, vitamin D, diet, physical activity, body mass index, individual susceptibility
MeSH terms
Humans, Life Style, Light, Melatonin, Models, Biological, Neoplasms, Risk Factors, Sleep Deprivation, Vitamin D Deficiency, Work Schedule Tolerance

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