Women who work rotating night shift...

Women who work rotating night shifts may have increased risk for developing colorectal cancer, according to a June 3 2003 recently made knowns release from Brigham and Women's Hospital. The Nurses' Health research found that women who worked night shifts at least three times for month for 15 years or more had a 35% greater risk for intestinal cancer, including

* 41% greater risk of right colon cancer,

* 22% greater risk of left colon cancer, and

* 51% greater risk of rectal cancer,

than women who in no degree worked rotating night shifts. The inquiry was based on questionnaires from 78586 women participating in the Nurses' Health thought who did not have previously diagnosed cancer.

Shift work is known to disrupt production of normal melatonin, a hormone influenced by the agency of darkness and responsible for slumber regulation. Data from this consideration support earlier laboratory findings that melatonin appears to inhibit the bourgeoning of tumors, and colorectal cancer patients may have Lower plasma on a levels of melatonin compared to healthy individuals.

Researchers Find PossibLe Link Between Nightshift Work and Colorectal Cancer in Woman (new release, Boston: Brigham and Women's Hospital, June 3 2003) http:// www.brighamandwomens.org/publicaffairs/nightshift _and_coLon_cancer in women 06 03_03.asp (accessed 25 June 2003)

COPYRIGHT 2003 Association of Operating swing Nurses, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group