Danish government compensates workers on link between shiftwork and cancer

sources: BBC/Independent/The Telegraph
Following categorisation of night work as a probable carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2007, the Danish government has commenced compensation payouts to nearly 40 women who developed breast cancer after 20 years or more of nightshift work.

The nightshift – cancer link was published after several human and animal studies identified an increased cancer risk associated with the suppression of the body’s melatonin production, itself associated with the disruption of sleep patterns endemic to nightshift work.

According to one study, published by the National Cancer Institute in 2001, the risk of breast cancer for women who had worked night shifts for more than 30 years was 36 percent greater than that for women who had never worked nights. A study undertaken by researchers from Harvard University also found that breast cancer rates increased by 50 percent among nightshift workers 

for full report go to this link http://www.clockworkresearch.com/news_nightwork_cancer.htm

Night shifts spark cancer pay-out 

By Kenneth Macdonald
BBC Scotland Special Correspondent 

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The Danish government has begun paying compensation to women who have developed breast cancer after long spells working nights.

It follows a ruling by a United Nations agency that night shifts probably increase the risk of developing cancer.

BBC Radio Scotland's The Investigation has been hearing from experts and union leaders in Scotland who said the UK government should be doing more to tackle the dangers.

For years there has been growing evidence that night shifts are bad for you.

Among the symptoms: disturbed sleep, fatigue, digestive problems and a greater risk of accidents at work.

But these are the first government payments to women who have developed breast cancer after long spells on the night shift.

 For full report go to this link http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/7945145.stm