Night shifts don’t cause cancer
Ongoing story. Back in May 2009 we informed you that links were being made between working night shifts and breast cancer ( yr.7, iss.16, pg.1 , see The next step ). At the time we suggested that the findings of the research weren’t conclusive. We repeated this position in 2012 and 2014 when the subject found its way back into the media.
We were not alone. The HSE wasn’t convinced of the link either so, together with Cancer Research UK and the UK Medical Council, it commissioned Night Shift Work and Breast Cancer Incidence, Three Prospective Studies and Meta-analysis of Published Studies (see The next step ).
The study. In total, 1.4 million women from the UK, US, China, Sweden and the Netherlands were questioned. Participants ranged from those who had worked infrequent night shifts to those on unsociable hours for up to 30 years.
The conclusion. This research is more conclusive than the previous studies. The summary of the findings stated “This study is the largest of its kind and has found no link between breast cancer and working night shifts” . As this has come from the HSE, you can take it as the official line on the subject.
Off the hook? Although the HSE was keen to give the good news on the cancer risks, it was just as quick to remind employers that there are still other known risks with shift work, such as fatigue and sleeping difficulties, confirming that employers must take these into consideration. Tip. Manage the risks associated with working night shifts by asking your staff to complete a night workers health assessment annually (see The next step ).
For a previous article on breast cancer risks, more information on the Night Shift Work and Breast Cancer Risk research and a night workers health assessment, visit http://tipsandadvice-healthandsafety.co.uk/download (HS 15.05.01).
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