Ann Occup Environ Med.  2018 ;30(1):11. 10.1186/s40557-018-0221-4.

The relationship between night work and breast cancer

• Lee HE
• Lee J
• Jang TW
• Kim IA
• Park J
• Song J

• KMID: 2428578
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-018-0221-4

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Since the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified shift work that involves circadian disruption as "probably carcinogenic to humans," there has been growing concern on the relationship between night work and breast cancer. In Korea, about 10-15% of workers are engaged in night-shift work, and breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. The purpose of this study was to review epidemiologic evidence on the relationship between night work and breast cancer.
METHODS
We reviewed 21 original articles and 5 meta analyses on relationship between nightwork and breast cancer, and investigated the compensation criteria of Denmark.
RESULTS
The association between breast cancer and night work has been reported by numerous epidemiologic studies, including cohort studies, case-control studies, and meta-analysis. However, a dose-response relationship has not clearly emerged among workers exposed to less than 20 years of night work.
CONCLUSION
Although there are some limitations to the epidemiological studies so far, further consideration of breast cancer cases in patients with high exposure to night work is needed to assess breast cancer as a work-related disease.

Keyword

Breast neoplasm; Night work; Carcinogens

MeSH Terms

Breast Neoplasms*
Breast*
Carcinogens
Case-Control Studies
Cohort Studies
Compensation and Redress
Denmark
Epidemiologic Studies
Female
Humans
International Agencies
Korea
Carcinogens