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Cited by 156Circadian rhythm and melatoninSleep and Work-Related FatigueImpact of Light on Environment and Health

Shift work, light at night, and breast cancer on Long Island, New York

O'Leary, Erin S., Schoenfeld, Elinor R., Stevens, Richard G., Kabat, Geoffrey C., Henderson, Kevin, Grimson, Roger, Gammon, Marilie D., Leske, M. Cristina·2006·American Journal of Epidemiology
DOI 10.1093/aje/kwj211
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Abstract

The hypothesized association between breast cancer and circadian disruption was evaluated in the Electromagnetic Fields and Breast Cancer on Long Island Study. Participants included 576 women with breast cancer diagnosed from August 1996 to June 1997 and 585 population-based controls (87% and 83% participation rates, respectively) aged < 75 years and living in the same Long Island, New York, home for > or = 15 years. An in-person interview ascertained light-at-night exposure histories through shift work (previous 15 years) and at home (previous 5 years). Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated by unconditional multivariate logistic regression. Breast cancer was not associated with overall shift work (odds ratio (OR) = 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.79, 1.38) or evening shift work (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.81, 1.44). However, overnight shift workers were at lower risk than women never working shifts (OR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.94). Women who frequently turned on lights at home during sleep hours (> or = twice/week and > or = twice/night) had increased risks (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.02, 2.69). The latter results suggest positive associations with residential light-at-night exposure, or they could reflect response biases. Furthermore, overall and evening shift work were not significant factors, and analyses of overnight shift workers yielded reduced risk estimates. The study thus provides mixed evidence for the light-at-night hypothesis.

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Crossref · 10.1093/aje/kwj211

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  • A significant association between breast cancer risk and exposure to nonoccupational light during the night at home is found for women who did not sleep during the period of melatonin level peaks, or who frequently turned on the light during the night.

    “A significant association between breast cancer risk and exposure to nonoccupational light during the night at home is found for women who did not sleep during the period of melatonin level peaks, or who frequently turned on the light during the night 107, 108, 109.”

    From The inner clock-Blue light sets the human rhythm (2019) · cites this paper as [109]

  • Increased breast cancer risk is also correlated with increasing bedroom light levels.

    “Similarly, increased breast cancer risk is also correlated with increasing bedroom light levels.”

    From The inner clock-Blue light sets the human rhythm (2019) · cites this paper as [109]

  • Observational studies consistently suggest positive associations of night shift work with cardiovascular disease and cancer risk.

    “Observational studies consistently suggest positive associations of night shift work and cardiovascular disease (CVD)2 and cancer risk.3-18”

    From Total and Cause-Specific Mortality of U.S. Nurses Working Rotating Night Shifts (2015) · cites this paper as [9]

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Authors
O'Leary, E. S., Schoenfeld, E. R., Stevens, R. G., Kabat, G. C., Henderson, K., Grimson, R., Gammon, M. D., & Leske, M. C.
Affiliations
  • Stony Brook University (US)
  • UConn Health (US)
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (US)
ORCID
Venue
American Journal of Epidemiology
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2006-06-15
Volume
164
Issue
4
Pages
358-366
ISSN
  • 0002-9262 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-6256
DOI
10.1093/aje/kwj211
OpenAlex
W2164349323
Cited by
156
References
62
Citations by year
2025: 2 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 13
FWCI
2.98
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Journal of Epidemiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Cancer Institute (CA/ES 66572, CA/ES 62991)
  • National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (ES11659, R21ES011659, P30ES010126)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Impact of Light on Environment and Health
Keywords
breast cancer, shift work, light at night, circadian rhythm disruption, electromagnetic fields, Long Island
MeSH terms
Breast Neoplasms, Circadian Rhythm, Electromagnetic Fields, Environmental Exposure, Female, Humans, Lighting, Middle Aged, New York, Residence Characteristics, Work Schedule Tolerance, Case-Control Studies

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