2015/05/08 by Yun Jeong Kim, Eunil Lee, Hyo Sun Lee +2 · 1 citation
Environmental Science · Neuroscience · #Impact of Light on Environment and Health #Air Quality and Health Impacts #Circadian rhythm and melatonin
paper · doi:10.3109/07420528.2015.1032413
openalex publication_date 2015/05/08 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
It has been reported that excessive artificial light at night (ALAN) could harm human health since it disturbs the natural bio-rhythm and sleep. Such conditions can lead to various diseases, including cancer. In this study, we have evaluated the association between ALAN and prevalence rates of cancer in females on a regional basis, after adjusting for other risk factors, including obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption rates and PM10 levels. The prevalence rates for breast cancer were found to be significantly associated with ALAN in urban and rural areas. Furthermore, no association was found with ALAN in female lung, liver, cervical, gastric and colon cancer. Despite the limitations of performing ecological studies, this report suggests that ALAN might be a risk factor for breast cancer, even in rural areas.