Night workers may face a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer, like breast cancer and colorectal cancer, for several reasons:
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Disruption of Circadian Rhythm: Our bodies have an internal clock called the circadian rhythm that regulates various functions, including sleep-wake cycles and hormone production. Working at night can disrupt this rhythm, which may affect how our bodies repair and regenerate cells.
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Hormonal Changes: Light exposure, especially blue light, affects melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep and has protective effects against cancer. In night workers, lower levels of melatonin (because they are exposed to light when they should be sleeping) may lead to a higher risk of cancer.
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Lifestyle Factors: Night workers may have less healthy lifestyles due to their work schedule. They might have irregular eating patterns, less time for exercise, and may experience more stress, all of which can contribute to an increased cancer risk.
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Altered Immune Function: Disrupted sleep and irregular schedules may weaken the immune system, making it less effective at identifying and destroying cancerous cells.
Together, these factors can create an environment in the body that may increase the risk of developing cancers such as breast and colorectal cancer among night workers.