Is This “Night Problem” Giving You Cancer?
It was one of the largest studies of its kind… and it ought to have millions of Americans very nervous.
A new study showed that people who work at night are sending their cancer risk through the roof.
Maybe you retired a long time ago… but that still doesn’t mean you’re out of the woods.
Because the same thing that is giving these night workers cancer can give you cancer, too.
Here’s exactly what you need to do to stay safe.
This particular study was a review of 61 previous studies that included nearly 4 million people.
It turns out that women who work at nights have an overall 19% increased risk of cancer, compared to women who worked during the day.
The risk of certain specific cancers was even higher. For example, there was a…
- 41% higher risk of skin cancer
- 32% higher risk of breast cancer
- 18% higher risk of gastrointestinal cancer
But, like I said, even if you don’t work, you’re still at risk.
That’s because there are two primary reasons that night work increases cancer risk.
#1: You’re more exposed to artificial light
#2: Your circadian rhythm, you’d body’s internal clock, gets disrupted
But if you’re someone who is staying up late into the night, exposed to TV screens, computers, and other forms of artificial light, you’re in the same boat.
You are screwing up your circadian rhythm, which helps your body tell the difference between night and day.
From my experience, even the slightest circadian disruption can wreak havoc on both your physical and emotional health. But spending years—sometimes decades—living OPPOSITE to your body’s internal clock is bound to take its toll.
After all, your circadian rhythm is responsible for releasing hormones that regulate most of your body’s functions.
Try to end all screen time pretty early in the evening.
And do your best to get your eyes in the sun every morning as it comes up over the horizon.
The visible light of the sun is what sets your brain’s internal circadian master clock, and it goes a long way toward keeping you in good health.
To a brighter day,
Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.
