Women's Health - November 2007

WOW I am NO LONGER staying up all night working and watching tv.
i am really scared because im 30 year sold an dhave been doing this most of my life!!!!!!!
Tonight is the LAST NIGHT i plan to stay up til midnight.
mmm now when i have kids ill tell my future husband to get up for me to check on the kids. this seems to affect women the worst!
Night-shift work linked to cancer



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LONDON (AP) — Like UV rays and diesel exhaust fumes, working the graveyard shift will soon be listed as a "probable" cause of cancer.
It is a surprising step validating a concept once considered wacky. And it is based on research that finds higher rates of breast and prostate cancer among women and men whose work day starts after dark.

Next month, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the cancer arm of the World Health Organization, will add overnight shift work as a probable carcinogen. The American Cancer Society says it will likely follow. Up to now, the U.S. organization has considered the work-cancer link to be "uncertain, controversial or unproven."

The higher cancer rates don't prove working overnight can cause cancer. There may be other factors common among graveyard shift workers that raise their risk for cancer.

However, scientists suspect that overnight work is dangerous because it disrupts the circadian rhythm, the body's biological clock. The hormone melatonin, which can suppress tumor development, is normally produced at night.

If the graveyard shift theory eventually proves correct, millions of people worldwide could be affected. Experts estimate that nearly 20% of the working population in developed countries work night shifts.

Among the first to spot the night shift-cancer connection was Richard Stevens, a cancer epidemiologist and professor at the University of Connecticut Health Center. In 1987, Stevens published a paper suggesting a link between light at night and breast cancer.

Back then, he was trying to figure out why breast cancer incidence suddenly shot up starting in the 1930s in industrialized societies, where nighttime work was considered a hallmark of progress. Most scientists were bewildered by his proposal.

But in recent years, several studies have found that women working at night over many years were indeed more prone to breast cancer. Also, animals that have their light-dark schedules switched develop more cancerous tumors and die earlier.

Some research also suggests that men working at night may have a higher rate of prostate cancer.

Because these studies mostly focused on nurses and airline crews, bigger studies in different populations are needed to confirm or disprove the findings.

There are still plenty of skeptics. And to put the risk in perspective, the "probable carcinogen" tag means that the link between overnight work and cancer is merely plausible.

Among the long list of agents that are listed as "known" carcinogens are alcoholic beverages and birth control pills. Such lists say nothing about exposure amount or length of time or how likely they are to cause cancer. The American Cancer Society website notes that carcinogens do not cause cancer at all times.

Still, many doubters of the night shift link may be won over by the IARC's analysis to be published in the December issue of the journal Lancet Oncology.

"The indications are positive," said Vincent Cogliano, who heads up the agency's carcinogen classifications unit. "There was enough of a pattern in people who do shift work to recognize that there's an increase in cancer, but we can't rule out the possibility of other factors."

Scientists believe having lower melatonin levels can raise the risk of developing cancer. Light shuts down melatonin production, so people working in artificial light at night may have lower melatonin levels.

Melatonin can be taken as a supplement, but experts don't recommend it long-term, since that could ruin the body's ability to produce it naturally.

Sleep deprivation may be another factor in cancer risk. People who work at night are not usually able to completely reverse their day and night cycles.

"Night shift people tend to be day shift people who are trying to stay awake at night," said Mark Rea, director of the Light Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York, who is not connected with the IARC analysis.

Not getting enough sleep makes your immune system vulnerable to attack, and less able to fight off potentially cancerous cells.

Confusing your body's natural rhythm can also lead to a breakdown of other essential tasks. "Timing is very important," Rea said. Certain processes like cell division and DNA repair happen at regular times.

Even worse than working an overnight shift is flipping between daytime and overnight work.

"The problem is re-setting your body's clock," said Aaron Blair, of the United States' National Cancer Institute, who chaired IARC's recent meeting on shift work. "If you worked at night and stayed on it, that would be less disruptive than constantly changing shifts."

Anyone whose light and dark schedule is often disrupted — including frequent long-haul travelers or insomniacs — could theoretically face the same increased cancer risk, Stevens said.

He advises workers to sleep in a darkened room once they get off work. "The balance between light and dark is very important for your body. Just get a dark night's sleep."

Meanwhile, scientists are trying to come up with ways to reduce night workers' cancer risk. And some companies are experimenting with different lighting, seeking a type that doesn't affect melatonin production.

So far, the color that seems to have the least effect on melatonin is one that few people would enjoy working under: red.

Copyright 2007 The Associated

2007-11-29 15:57:20 · 12 answers · asked by I♥agoodhug 1

Ok I had my last shot of Depo in Auguest of 2006. I started on it in May of 2005. I had some really bad compications from it after about 5 months, but was not taken off of it until Auguest when I had to force my doctors to take me off. They said that it was the depo causeing it, but as it turns out it was. Since April of this year my fiancee and I have had unprotected sex, and I have not gotten pregnant. Could the depo still be in my system or made me infertile? How long did it stay in your system? Did your period ever get back to normal? Any help you give me would be really help. Thank you.

Please only serious answers thank you

2007-11-29 15:33:35 · 7 answers · asked by tasha 5

2007-11-29 15:33:07 · 1 answers · asked by Anonymous

OK this is kinda weird, but I have been trying to get pregnat for about a year and a half, but my period stopped like a year ago. My doctor told me that it was caused by excessive weight gain.. (it was stemmed from depression) I finally got help with my depression and I have been losing weight. But I still am missing the all important key to getting pregnat, the period and ovulation... I am tired of my doctor basically calling me fat, so I am hoping maybe just maybe anyone else has had this "fat" problem, or a simular one at that.. And what did you do to solve it or did you? How long did it take and what steps did you take to get there??

2007-11-29 15:08:29 · 6 answers · asked by brandyboo 3

hey.. im 19 years old. i have sex. i have unprotected sex with one guy.. i have never been to the gynocologist and i really dont want to go. i have a bad past and im not comfortable with the idea of someone touching or looking at me down there... i kno i have to go but i dont kno... please some words of advice or anything... thanx

2007-11-29 15:02:04 · 20 answers · asked by Melissa 2

i have really bad hormonal mood swings and i tend to take it out on people who i dont want to be hurt, but they end up hurt.

and sometimes i get so angry over nothing that i cant end the mood swing!

help!!

2007-11-29 14:55:11 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous

It's the lovely pelvic exam and so on. It's also to check my general health, etc... Since I am sick, should I reschedule so that they get a more accurate idea of my general health. In truth, I want to climb under my blankets with a cup of hot tea and vegetate - not get poked and prodded. This is just a nasty cold - not something I'd normally see a doctor about.

2007-11-29 14:44:37 · 20 answers · asked by pookiemct07 5

thanks

2007-11-29 13:18:16 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous

I am on the pill and stopped started my "sugar pills" in the pack on Sunday. I started my period on Wednesda. I really, really want it to end by tomorrow or Saturday because I have an important "engagement" Saturday night. Is there a way to do this??? Thanks!

2007-11-29 12:59:35 · 6 answers · asked by bnaxchic 1

I'm thinking bout getting them done but won't if they'll look bad after i lose all the weight? Will they change if i do lose the weight?

2007-11-29 11:26:02 · 9 answers · asked by footballgrl06 1

I've been seeing him for about a year now and I developed a huge crush on him!!! What should I do? It's so embarrassing!!! :(

2007-11-29 11:10:28 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

2007-11-29 11:10:16 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous

i mean it would be kinda gross being on your period having sex!

2007-11-29 11:00:53 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous

For some reason, ever sine I got my period, on the last day (when theres hardly any blood) It itches down there really bad. But it only last that one day. Thats how I always know my period is about to stop when that happens. Because the day after, its always over.
I have not been sexually active.
Is this anything I should be concerned about?
Thank you,

2007-11-29 10:58:01 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous

im 16. im terrified of the doctor. i need 4 shots tomorrow. i understand that. im going for a physical. 1st of all what will happen exactly and what preparations can i make?

2007-11-29 10:50:23 · 2 answers · asked by <333 2

How do females know their periods coming

2007-11-29 10:43:23 · 11 answers · asked by mrpoet03 4

Hey girls, i've been having alot of my period going down at school.I had to brindg 10 small pads and used 9 small ones and has one small one left i my school bag??WHATS THE PROBLEM?? DO I NEED PILLS???PLEASE HELP!

2007-11-29 10:37:47 · 4 answers · asked by Kayla n 1

I have asked this question a million times but i never get good reasponses so plz help i just got my first period monday in school it was alot of blood then very light the rest of the day!I havent gotten anything since i know this is normal because it is my first one but should i be expecting it soon liek within another week or a couple of days because thats what people told me they said most likely when that happens you get it in liek a week?Or should it come again in like 28 days?Please answer me thnxx

2007-11-29 09:34:12 · 9 answers · asked by in a hicktown<3 3

im on cilest pill and was wondering what would happen if after the "pill-free" week i missed another week? would this muck up my whole cycle?

2007-11-29 09:06:49 · 1 answers · asked by xx_siobhan_doc_xx 1

Have your periods changed in your 40's and in what way?
Also...I'm ttc naturally, have you ever had unusually enlarged breasts associated with your period, not pregnancy? None of my bras fit and my weight hasnt changed.

2007-11-29 09:03:17 · 13 answers · asked by ~Just 1 good egg~ 5

i dont have to go to the gyno, just to let every1 know (cuz if i dont say, you'll be saying you'll be fine and stuff!) anyways, but im still scared of them and i know i will have to go at 18. but what all do they do and does it hurt?

btw: im not sexually active and i dont use tampons, so its not like i'll be use to it

2007-11-29 08:53:58 · 2 answers · asked by secret_mystery0 2

ok for example i knew i miscarried spet 30 on my period date
it was spotted to very heavy then passing huge blood clots that looks like a quater does having miscarriages can effect your period or something last month it was a day late this month i havented got it yet i was suppose to get it the 26 so whats the problem usally my periods are light to little heavy each month now its heavy bleeding right away whats going on im nervous

2007-11-29 08:30:02 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous

Right now i wear a shirt size of 4x,i want to get down to 2x!

2007-11-29 08:27:47 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous

is it possible that i haven't had a period because my body is lacking in essencial vitamins?? i know i can't make y period come any faster, but is it possible that i won't have it until my body feels ready???

2007-11-29 08:11:46 · 8 answers · asked by froggy 2

2007-11-29 08:09:37 · 4 answers · asked by patrick w 2

Thx guys. I just turned 29, I am average weight. Yeah, I think i will go to another doctor.

2007-11-29 08:04:23 · 1 answers · asked by Anonymous

when your on your period?

that will help with cramps?

2007-11-29 08:02:41 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous

It not always as easy as it I believe it should be, but all I have to do is touch my boyfriend and he's ready to go.
Any ideas ladies?

2007-11-29 07:56:53 · 1 answers · asked by Anonymous

ok i am 13 and i am freakin out i just today during school started my proiod and i dont know how to tell my mom, it hurts sooooooooo bad and i bawl my eyes out everytime i go to the bathroom pleeeeze help me i dont know how to tell my mom !!!!

2007-11-29 07:43:17 · 12 answers · asked by Alexiiiiis 1

I itch constantly,especially at night. Also, when i wipe, theres always white stuff on the toilet paper (i use pink ones...)Ive looked there a couple of time and the white stuff keepssss coming. I dont have my period or a gyn. Can you tell me where i can get vagisil?and tell me of a reliable female gyn in brooklyn around bensonhurst.......PLEASE NO RETARDED ANSWERS!!!

2007-11-29 07:38:07 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous