Melatonin, sleep disturbance and cancer risk

Night shift workers often experience disrupted circadian rhythms and increased cancer risk.

• Exposure to light at night is associated with circadian phase shifts and suppression of nocturnal melatonin.
• Individuals with disrupted circadian rhythms may experience sleep disturbances and immune suppression.
• Shortened nocturnal sleep duration is linked to a higher risk of developing breast cancer.
• The roles of sleep disturbances, circadian disruption, and melatonin production impairments in cancer initiation among high-risk individuals remain unclear.
• There may be a reinforcing interaction between circadian rhythms, sleep quality, and immune function that could contribute to cancer prevention.

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