Night Shifts Linked to Cancer

After almost 20 years of speculation by scientists, the World Health Organization announced that it will officially label shift work as a “probable cause” of cancer in humans. The decision was based on general research that has linked an increased risk of cancer for those working at night. Researchers still have no definitive proof of the link, but believe it must have some connection to melatonin, a hormone that regulates body functions. Scientists don’t know if working at night, the actual change in shifts, or some other behavior actually triggers the cancer. The WHO has not issued any recommendations or advice for those working night shifts now, but said the decision would only affect future research efforts.