New Research into Links Between Circadian Rhythms and Cancer

Virginia Tech Molecular Biologist Carla Finkielstein’s new research confirms her earlier findings that, this is why night shift workers develop cancer at a higher rate. The bright light they’re exposed to at night confuses cancer suppressing molecules and cancer fueling oncogenes. Finkielstein says, programs limiting how long people stay on that night shift, could help. 

The study also finds that the timing of a cancer drug could make all the difference.  For example, it may be best to give cancer drugs during the day. That’s when cells are dividing, due to that internal body clock.  In cancer, you want to slow down the cells’ divisions, so attacking them while they’re active is most effective.

For more information access the paper here