Cancer Prevention Breakthroughs

Photo by: CN Digital Studio

Dim the lights. You just might fight cancer.

Being exposed to ordinary room light in the evening decreases levels of the hormone melatonin, a study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism shows. Melatonin not only helps bring on sleep, but it may also regulate estrogen, a key hormone associated with breast cancer. This study could in part explain what scientists have long suspected: Exposure to ... more 

Photo by: CN Digital Studio

Dim the lights. You just might fight cancer.

Being exposed to ordinary room light in the evening decreases levels of the hormone melatonin, a study in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism shows. Melatonin not only helps bring on sleep, but it may also regulate estrogen, a key hormone associated with breast cancer. This study could in part explain what scientists have long suspected: Exposure to artificial light after sundown may increase our cancer risk, says Richard Stevens, Ph.D., a cancer epidemiologist at the University of Connecticut Health Center. Another hint: Women on the night shift get more breast cancer than nine-to-fivers.

What to do: Switch to lamps with low-intensity incandescent bulbs (no fluorescent lights!) about two hours before bed. Stevens also recommends installing a dim red bulb in the bathroom. That way, you won't mess with your melatonin when you've got to pee at 3 a.m.

Your perk: Sounder sleep. Wh less