Link to our April 2024 Newsletter

https://mailchi.mp/emfsa/screens-cancer-breast-prostate-iarc-5g

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Highlights

• Bedroom nighttime light exposure was associated with increased allostatic load.

• Significant associations between LAN exposure and separate AL biomarkers were observed.

• Keeping bedroom dark at night may be a viable option to reduce the wear of body systems.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0269749122008855

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Highlights:

• Multi-period bedroom light exposure was associated with cardiometabolic risk.

• Bedroom nighttime light pollution is associated with increased CM-risk score.

• Time-dependent effect of light at night on cardiometabolic risk was observed.

• Keep bedroom darkness at night can be a novel strategy to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0269749121022107

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The information in this article is not intended as medical advice, and should not be construed as such. Always consult with a suitably qualified medical practitioner.

What has light got to do with breast cancer?

–Light is a type of electromagnetic radiation.

–Zeitgeber: The word zeitgeber derives from a combination of two German terms, Zeit, which means “time,” and Geber, which means “giver”-so a zeitgeber is literally a “time giver.”

-Light is the strongest synchronizing agent (zeitgeber) for the circadian system. (1)

-Light at Night is a risk factor for breast cancer.

-Never place a phone near the heart, as the heart has the second highest density of mitochondria. In other words, do not carry a cell phone in your shirt or trouser pocket, unless completely switched off. This applies to men and women. Women should avoid carrying a phone in a bra.

Practical, cost effective solutions for prevention and assistance in the treatment of breast cancer:

-Deuterium has an interesting relationship with ultraviolet (UV) photons and repels light absorption in the red and Near-Infrared Range (NIR). It is important for growth, but when in abundance or incorrect location can bring about mitochondrial dysfunction. (2)

-The Dutch Hacking Health Award: breast cancer assistance through TV Photonbiomodulation (3)

-Lowering deuterium concentrations through diet, water and biomodulation applications are demonstrated to be effectively helpful with cancer.

The sun is an excellent vaccine for breast cancer

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Troy et al., 2020) suggested that obtaining greater than an hour a day in the sun during the summer months could decrease the risk of developing breast cancer. (4)

Note: Patients receiving chemotherapy and drugs should be careful with sun exposure due to induced photonsensitivity.

Be Proactive:

Strive for bright days (sunlight exposure) and dark nights. (1)

In addition it is advised not to wear sunglasses when outdoors.

Morning sunrise and sunset light are greatly encouraged and endorsed. These are pure IR.

At night especially, avoid white light and blue light exposure from screens. Implement the WHO Dutch Hacking Health solution for screen and light spectrum changes that are required. (2,3)

After sunset use red light bulbs and candles. This is a compromise, as any light at night will disrupt the circadian rhythm, however, red light and candles do so to a lesser degree.

At night when you sleep, your bedroom must be as dark as possible. Blackout curtains will help in this regard.

The environment is implicated in driving breast cancer risk:

Only about 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are linked to gene mutations passed through generations of a family. Some people who have no risk factors develop cancer, yet other people with risk factors never do. This further implicates the environment in driving the breast cancer risk. 

Disruption of circadian rhythms by Light at Night (LAN) – Breast cancer and the importance of your light environment:

A major consequence of our modern lifestyle is disruption of circadian rhythms. Circadian rhythms are essential to the regulation of many physiological and behavioral functions in mammals. Their disruption has been linked to development of many health problems, including breast cancer. A properly functioning circadian system plays an important role in preventing cancer formation and suppressing tumor growth based on the several lines of evidence. (4-20)

Circadian Disruption:

Circadian disruption results in not only an increased cancer risk but also in cancer progression and a poorer survival outcome.

The influence of altered circadian rhythm on breast cancer was first noted in the 1960s.

Women who work irregular shift patterns, such as nurses, have a higher frequency of hormone-related breast cancer,  and the higher levels of cancer may be greater for women who started night shifts before a first pregnancy.  Elevated breast cancer risk also occurs in women exposed to high levels of ambient light at night.

-In addition to epidemiological studies, there is a growing body of experimental evidence linking circadian disruption to increased breast cancer risk and poorer survival outcome.

-Circadian disruptions negatively influence both tumor molecular clocks and host circadian systems to increase cancer risk and progression. (14-18)

Outdoor Light At Night is a cause of light pollution – Including our home security and street lights:

Women living in areas with high levels of outdoor Light at Night (LAN) may be at higher risk of breast cancer even after accounting for individual and area-level risk factors for breast cancer. (5, 8, 11, )

International agencies – Circadian disruption:

• The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classification of shift work and Radiofrequency Radiation (RFR): 

-Shift work involving circadian disruption is classified by IARC as “probably carcinogenic to humans” (Group 2A), based on limited evidence of cancer in humans, sufficient evidence of cancer in experimental animals, and strong mechanistic evidence in experimental animals. (20)

-In May 2011 the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) evaluated cancer risks from RFR. Human epidemiological studies gave evidence of increased risk for glioma and acoustic neuroma. RFR was classified as Group 2B, a possible human carcinogen. (21).

• The National Toxicology Program (NTP) :

(1) persistent night shift work can cause breast cancer in women and 

(2) certain lighting conditions may be linked to cancer. (22)

• ANSES:

In 2019 the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) confirmed the toxicity of blue light on the retina and highlighted the effects of disturbance of biological rhythms and sleep. (23)

What are the warning signs of breast cancer?

• A lump or thickening in or near the breast or in the underarm that persists through the menstrual cycle.
• A mass or lump, which may feel as small as a pea.
• A change in the size, shape, or contour of the breast.
• A blood-stained or clear fluid discharge from the nipple.
• A change in the look or feel of the skin on the breast or nipple (dimpled, puckered, scaly, or inflamed).
• Redness of the skin on the breast or nipple.
• An area that is distinctly different from any other area on either breast.
• A marble-like hardened area under the skin (24)

In South Africa all hospitals and clinics are required to make use of photonbiomodulation (PBM) within their patient care and treatment options. The degree of PBM intensity is variable. Solutions are available to be cost-effective and efficient. South Africa does hold the resources for further R&D, and script regulatory requirements.(2)

Breast cancer advocacy groups, cancer treatment and palliative care centers should take note of the importance of the light environment. Not just for the sake of their patients, but also their staff.

References:

1. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2017 https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2017/advanced-information/WHO
2. WHO EMF Project Report South Africa  2021 https://www.emfsa.co.za/wpcontent/uploads/2021/06/World_Health_Organization_International.pdf
3. The Dutch Hacking Health Award – breast cancer assistance through TV Photonbiomodulation https://www.buymeacoffee.com/EMFSA/video-hacking-health-award-webinar-step-step
4. Troy W. R. Hiller, Dylan E. O’Sullivan,Darren R. Brenner,Cheryl E. Peters, and Will D. King2020 Solar Ultraviolet Radiation and Breast Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Environmental Health Perspectives 128:1 CID: 016002 https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4861
5. James P, Bertrand KA, Hart JE, Schernhammer ES, Tamimi RM, Laden F. Outdoor Light at Night and Breast Cancer Incidence in the Nurses’ Health Study II. Environ Health Perspect. 2017;125(8):087010. Published 2017 Aug 17. doi:10.1289/EHP935 https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/EHP935
6. Bracci, M.; Ciarapica, V.; Eléxpuru Zabaleta, M.; Tartaglione, M.F.; Pirozzi, S.; Giuliani, L.; Piva, F.; Valentino, M.; Ledda, C.; Rapisarda, V.; Stevens, R.G.; Santarelli, L. BRCA1 and BRCA2 Gene Expression: Diurnal Variability and Influence of Shift Work. Cancers 2019, 11, 1146. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers1108114
7. Mortazavi SAR, Mortazavi SMJ. Women with hereditary breast cancer predispositions should avoid using their smartphones, tablets, and laptops at night. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2018 Feb;21(2):112-115. doi: 10.22038/IJBMS.2018.27711.6751. PMID: 29456806; PMCID: PMC5811748. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29456806/
8. Guanglei, W.; Ngarambe, J.; Kim, G. A Comparative Study on Current Outdoor Lighting Policies in China and Korea: A Step toward a Sustainable Nighttime Environment. Sustainability 2019, 11, 3989. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11143989
9. Munch M, Bromundt V. Light and chronobiology: implications for health and disease. Dialogues ClinNeurosci.2012;14(4):448-453.doi:10.31887/DCNS.2012.14.4/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3553574/
10. Blume C, Garbazza C, Spitschan M. Effects of light on human circadian rhythms, sleep and mood. Somnologie (Berl). 2019;23(3):147-156. doi:10.1007/s11818-019-00215-x https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6751071/
11. Zubidat, Abed E. and Haim, Abraham. “Artificial light-at-night – a novel lifestyle risk factor for metabolic disorder and cancer morbidity” Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology, vol. 28, no. 4, 2017, pp. 295-313. https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp-2016-0116
12. Al-Naggar RA, Anil Sh. Artificial Light at Night and Cancer: Global Study. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2016;17(10):4661-4664. Published 2016 Oct 1. doi:10.22034/apjcp.2016.17.10.4661 http://journal.waocp.org/article_40505.html
13. Lin H-H and Farkas ME (2018) Altered Circadian Rhythms and Breast Cancer: From the Human to the Molecular Level. Front. Endocrinol. 9:219. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00219 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2018.00219/full
14. Blakeman, V., Williams, J.L., Meng, QJ. et al. Circadian clocks and breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res 18, 89 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13058-016-0743-z
15. Hadadi, E., Taylor, W., Li, XM. et al. Chronic circadian disruption modulates breast cancer stemness and immune microenvironment to drive metastasis in mice. Nat Commun 11, 3193 (2020). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-16890-6
16. Blask DE, Dauchy RT, Dauchy EM, Mao L, Hill SM, Greene MW, et al. (2014) Light Exposure at Night Disrupts Host/Cancer Circadian Regulatory Dynamics: Impact on the Warburg Effect, Lipid Signaling and Tumor Growth Prevention. PLoS ONE 9(8): e102776. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0102776
17. Lee, Y. Roles of circadian clocks in cancer pathogenesis and treatment. Exp Mol Med (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s12276-021-00681-0
18. Zhang, Z., Zeng, P., Gao, W. et al. Circadian clock: a regulator of the immunity in cancer. Cell Commun Signal 19, 37 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-021-00721-2
19. Savvidis, C., Koutsilieris, M. Circadian Rhythm Disruption in Cancer Biology. Mol Med 18, 1249–1260 (2012). https://doi.org/10.2119/molmed.2012.00077
20. Carcinogenicity of night shift work https://www.etui.org/sites/default/files/ez_import/lancet.pdf
21. World Health Organization/International Agency for Research on Cancer. “Cell phones and cancer: Assessment classifies radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 31 May 2011. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110531133115.htm
22. NTP Review of Shift Work at Night, Light at Night, and Circadian Disruption https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/whatwestudy/assessments/cancer/completed/shiftwork/index.htm
23. LED: ANSES recommendations to limit exposure to blue light https://www.emfsa.co.za/news/french-agency-anses-press-release-led-recommendations-to-limit-exposure-to-blue-light/
24. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/3986-breast-cancer

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Report Date: April 2021

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Modern electric lighting practices have facilitated a society in which people may work, sleep, and receive goods and services at any time of the day. People are exposed to ill-timed, unnatural, electric light (such as light at night, or “LAN”) through lifestyle choices, necessity, the locations of their residences, and employment during the night shift. As light is the critical regulator for circadian rhythms, exposure to LAN can cause circadian disruption, which can be associated with potential adverse health effects such as cancer. Night shift work includes exposure to electric LAN, sleep disturbances, or changes in meal timing, as well as other potential factors (e.g., social stressors, lifestyle behaviors, decreased exposure to sunlight, and lower vitamin D levels). Most, but not all, of these factors can lead to circadian disruption.

Extract

NTP final cancer hazard conclusions

There is high confidence for a causal relationship between human cancer (breast and less so prostate) and persistent night shift work — i.e., frequent and long-term night shift work, especially beginning in early adulthood — that causes circadian disruption. This conclusion is based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from the collective body of evidence from cancer epidemiological studies and mechanistic studies in humans and in experimental animals. The strongest evidence is for breast cancer.

There is moderate confidence for a causal relationship between human cancer and certain lighting conditions — i.e., excessive LAN exposure combined with insufficient daylight exposure — that cause circadian disruption. This conclusion is based on strong evidence that LAN acts through mechanisms that are likely to cause cancer in humans.

The full report pdf is available at https://doi.org/10.22427/NTP-CHR-NSWLAN

More on the topic: https://www.emfsa.co.za/news/ntp-review-of-shift-work-at-night-light-at-night-and-circadian-disruption/

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Abstract

Several endogenous and exogenous factors interact to influence stroke occurrence, in turn contributing to discernable daily distribution patterns in the frequency and severity of cerebrovascular events. Specifically, strokes that occur during the morning tend to be more severe and are associated with elevated diastolic blood pressure, increased hospital stay, and worse outcomes, including mortality, compared to strokes that occur later in the day. Furthermore, disrupted circadian rhythms are linked to higher risk for stroke and play a role in stroke outcome. In this review, we discuss the interrelation among core clock genes and several factors contributing to ischemic outcomes, sources of disrupted circadian rhythms, the implications of disrupted circadian rhythms in foundational stroke scientific literature, followed by a review of clinical implications. In addition to highlighting the distinct daily pattern of onset, several aspects of physiology including immune response, endothelial/vascular and blood brain barrier function, and fibrinolysis are under circadian clock regulation; disrupted core clock gene expression patterns can adversely affect these physiological processes, leading to a prothrombotic state. Lastly, we discuss how the timing of ischemic onset increases morning resistance to thrombolytic therapy and the risk of hemorrhagic transformation.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2021.675732/full

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Abstract

Exposure to light at night is not an innocuous consequence of modernization. There are compelling data linking long-term exposure to occupational and environmental light at night with serious health conditions, including heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. However, far less is known about the physiological and behavioral effects of acute exposure to light at night. Among healthy volunteers, acute night-time light exposure increases systolic blood pressure and inflammatory markers in the blood, and impairs glucose regulation. Whether critically ill patients in a hospital setting experience the same physiological shifts in response to evening light exposure is not known. This paper reviews the available data on light at night effects on health and wellbeing, and argues that the data are sufficiently compelling to warrant studies of how lighting in intensive care units may be influencing patient recovery.

Extract

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8174656/

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Simple Summary

Behavioral characteristics of living organisms may affect the metabolism and its underlying molecular basis. The lifestyles of some modern communities include prolonged light exposure at night, and a high-fat/high-sugar-containing diet is frequently investigated. The molecular mechanisms of this unhealthy behavior might involve Adropin and some related nuclear receptors. This study examines the effect of long-term continuous light exposure and high fat/sucrose (HFS) diet on Adropin expression, RORα, Rev-erb-α nuclear receptors, key enzymes of lipid metabolism, and energy homeostasis in a rat model. The results of this study demonstrate the deleterious effects of this modern behavior on the metabolism, histology of many organs and general health. In conclusion CL and WD produced widespread derangements of energy homeostasis and lipid metabolism. The pathogenesis of this disturbance includes, at least in part, the Adropin hormone with the involvement of the RORα and Rev-erb-α nuclear receptors. Future therapeutic potential may involve Adropin.

Abstract

Long-term continuous light exposure (CL) and western diet (WD) effects on Adropin expression, RORα, and Rev-erb-α nuclear receptors and energy homeostasis were studied in rats. Thirty-two male Wistar rats (250–290 g) were enrolled for 3 months in the following groups (n = 8/group): (a) Normal control group (NC), (b) CL group, (c) WD group, and (d) CL + WD group. Then, indirect calorimetry and food intake (FI) were measured. Finally, Adropin, hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), adipocyte triglyceride lipase (ATGL), and free fatty acids (FFA) were measured. Additionally, the histopathology and gene expression of Enho, RORα, and Rev-erb-α genes were done. The CL alone elevated the Adropin plasma level and gene expression, increased RORα expression, and decreased the Rev-erb-α nuclear receptor expression mainly in the liver and kidney. Besides, CL increased the total energy expenditure (TEE) and decreased the respiratory quotient. WD alone or in combination with the CL reversed gene expression of Enho, RORα, and Rev-erb-α. Combined CL and WD increased the TEE, reduced the food intake, increased the ATGL, and reduced the Adropin level in addition to widespread degenerative changes in the liver, spleen, and renal tissues. The deleterious effects of CL and WD on energy homeostasis may include Adropin with the involvement of the RORα and Rev-erb-α nuclear receptors.

https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/10/5/413/htm

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Highlights

Although circadian rhythm disruption (CRD) was typically considered to be a risk for chronic diseases solely for shift workers (∼20% of workforce), new epidemiological data suggest more than 80% of the population may be living a shift work lifestyle and thus are at elevated risk for chronic diseases.

Acute CRD compromises health with temporary physical challenges and may be a trigger for underlying latent diseases. Chronic CRD raises the risk for cancer along with a range of diseases affecting the central nervous system, immune and reproductive systems, metabolic organs, endocrine functions, and cardiovascular health.

Recent progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms of circadian timing and diurnal rhythms of tissue-specific gene products has generated testable hypotheses for how the circadian timing system optimizes health and, conversely, how circadian disruption leads to diseases.

Leveraging circadian rhythms to prevent, manage, and treat diseases involves three major strategies: optimizing the circadian lifestyle (‘training the clock’), optimizing timing of therapies (‘clocking the drugs’), and targeting specific circadian clock components (‘drugging the clock’).

Daily rhythms in behavior, physiology, and metabolism are an integral part of homeostasis. These rhythms emerge from interactions between endogenous circadian clocks and ambient light-dark cycles, sleep-activity cycles, and eating-fasting cycles. Nearly the entire primate genome shows daily rhythms in expression in tissue- and locus-specific manners. These molecular rhythms modulate several key aspects of cellular and tissue function with profound implications in public health, disease prevention, and disease management. In modern societies light at night disrupts circadian rhythms, leading to further disruption of sleep-activity and eating-fasting cycles. While acute circadian disruption may cause transient discomfort or exacerbate chronic diseases, chronic circadian disruption can enhance risks for numerous diseases. The molecular understanding of circadian rhythms is opening new therapeutic frontiers placing the circadian clock in a central role. Here, we review recent advancements on how to enhance our circadian clock through behavioral interventions, timing of drug administration, and pharmacological targeting of circadian clock components that are already providing new preventive and therapeutic strategies for several diseases, including metabolic syndrome and cancer.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165614718301196

© 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Modern electric lighting enables people to work, sleep, eat, and receive services throughout the 24-hour day. As a result, many individuals encounter new patterns and types of electrical light, change the timing of their meals, and experience sleep disturbances and other stresses. Those factors can disrupt circadian rhythms and possibly lead to adverse health effects such as cancer.

NTP studied two exposure scenarios related to modern lighting practices.

1. Night shift work

Night shift work is defined as working three hours between 12 and 5am. It is a complex exposure scenario and includes the following.

2. Sources of electrical light at night

Why is it important to study night shift work and light at night?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 10 million adults in the U.S. frequently work night shifts. Frequent night shift work is more common among men, blacks, and non-Hispanics.

Night shift work may contribute to almost 12,000 new breast cancer cases per year in the U.S. The link between night shift work and breast cancer among black women is a research gap.

Exposure to indoor electric lighting is nearly ubiquitous in our society. Findings from the National Sleep Foundation show that 90% of Americans use some type of electronic device a few nights per week within one hour of bedtime. In 2016, satellite imaging data of the Earth at night (see Figure 5) indicated that more than 99% of the U.S. population lived under light-polluted skies at night.

NTP Evaluation

NTP used systematic review methods and established criteria to reach its cancer hazard conclusions. These conclusions are based on scientific judgment with consideration given to all relevant information.

What did the evaluation find?

High confidence that persistent night shift work that disrupts circadian rhythms can cause breast cancer in women and may cause prostate cancer in men. Persistent night shift work is defined as frequent and long-term night shift work, especially beginning in early adulthood.

• The exact conditions of persistent night shift work are hard to define as duration and frequency may depend on their specific combination.

Moderate confidence for a causal relationship between human cancer and certain lighting conditions that cause circadian disruption. Certain lighting conditions are defined as excessive LAN exposure combined with insufficient daylight exposure.

• The lighting conditions at night that lead to circadian disruption depend on a combination of light characteristics such as wavelength, exposure duration, light intensity or levels, and timing.

Q: How does circadian disruption work?

Sunlight is the major external signal that synchronizes the master circadian clock to natural light-dark cycles we experience daily. To keep biological rhythms coordinated (see figure for example of daily rhythms), the master clock, which is located in the brain, sends signals to a large network of peripheral clocks that are in almost every cell of the body. Exposure to too much light at night, especially during times when people are typically asleep, is thought to contribute to circadian disruption and increased risk of cancer.

Q: How were the conclusions on persistent night shift work and certain lighting conditions reached?

NTP used systematic review methods to identify studies, evaluate study quality, and integrate evidence across studies.

For each exposure scenario (night shift work or LAN), NTP integrated the evidence from human and non-human studies of exposure and cancer, studies of circadian disruption, and studies of mechanisms (e.g., biological effects) to reach our conclusions.

Read more at: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/whatwestudy/assessments/cancer/completed/shiftwork/index.html

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