Research reported by Harvard University in August 2017 cited that exposure to light at night disrupts circadian patterns and decreases nocturnal secretion of melatonin, which may disturb estrogen regulation, leading to increased breast cancer risk.
We found the Harvard study interesting as it echoes the research on light at night and breast cancer risk conducted at several institutions such as Yale University, University of Connecticut and Haifa University which came to similar conclusions.
The Great Neck Breast Cancer Coalition has been following the research on environmental links to breast cancer and collaborating with researchers across the country over the past two decades.
With that background, GNBCC spoke with the principal investigator of the Harvard study, Dr. Peter James, who said that “blue light” shows the highest level of melatonin suppression and, although the study did not specifically examine the effect of LED lighting, LED lights contain higher levels of blue light.
James and his colleagues will be conducting further research into the connection of light at night and breast cancer.
Researchers worldwide are accumulating evidence that there is an increased risk of breast cancer with exposure to light at night.
Under the precautionary principle, the introduction of new products and processes into the public domain whose ultimate health risks are suspect should be resisted until all the evidence is in, notwithstanding the pressure from industry salesmen and lobbyists.
Laura Weinberg
President, Great Neck Breast Cancer Coalition
Lisa Levine
Vice President, Great Neck Breast Cancer Coalition
