City dwellers should be aware that researchers have found that living near a source of artificial light outdoors, such as street lamps and neon signs, can increase a resident’s risk of thyroid cancer by 55%.
The new enlightening study on “light pollution” was published on Monday in the American Cancer Society, Cancer.
A link between breast cancer and night light has been noted in studies earlier, which has led researchers at the University of Texas at Houston to investigate thyroid cancer, which shares a hormonal impetus with breast cancer, under the same circumstances. of artificial lighting.
DUSTIN DIAMOND’S GIRLFRIEND SPEAKS AFTER THE ACTOR’S DEATH: ‘I AM A BROKEN HEART’
Dr. Qian Xiao and his team used data provided by the National Institutes of Health and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), from 464,371 adult participants in a 13-year diet and health survey that also noted individuals’ homes, and whether they developed cancer or not over time. This biodata was crossed with satellite images to assess the levels of night light around the homes and communities of individuals.
“/> Dr. Xiao noted that the observational study cannot conclude that night light causes cancer – but said his findings are grounds for further research.
(iStock)
They found 856 cases of thyroid cancer – 384 in men and 472 in women – among the respondents. By dividing this group into five subgroups based on their home’s light levels, the scientists found that the group in the highest quintile was linked to a 55% increase in papillary thyroid cancer, the most common type. Although the diagnosis of cancer was more prevalent in women, the researchers also found that their cancer was less likely to spread compared to men, who were more likely to suffer from advanced metastatic thyroid cancer.
Dr. Xiao and others speculate that melatonin, a hormone that supports healthy sleep, may play a role. Night light is known to prevent the activation of melatonin at night. At the same time, the sleep hormone is also a modulator of estrogen, a female reproductive hormone that can be crucial in preventing tumor growth. In addition, it has been shown that disruptions in circadian rhythm can be a risk factor for other types of cancer.
Dr. Xiao noted that the observational study cannot conclude that night light causes cancer – but said his findings are grounds for further research.
THIS SIDE EFFECT OF COVID-19 MAY BE CONFUSED WITH BREAST CANCER SYMPTOM, DOCTOR WARN
“Given the well-established evidence supporting the role of exposure to light at night and circadian interruption, we hope that our study will motivate researchers to further examine the relationship between light at night and cancer, and other diseases,” said Dr Xiao in a statement. Your research can impact how cities distribute municipal lighting.
“Recently, there have been efforts in some cities to reduce light pollution and we believe that future studies should assess whether and to what extent these efforts impact human health,” said Dr. Xiao.
Click here for more information from NYPost.com.