When lights fade: sleep, night work and cancer

Increasing attention has finally been given to chronobiology and the role of sleep-wake rhythms' disruption as a possible predictor of hormone-related cancers. 

Numerous biological phenomena exhibit rhythmic patterns, which can be synchronized by environmental factors such as the day-night cycle or autonomously regulated by "biological clocks." These complex mechanisms cyclically influence various bodily functions independent of external factors. While biological clocks in plants and animals were once considered mysterious, recent decades have seen significant advancements in their study across multiple scientific fields, including genetics, neurophysiology, and occupational medicine. Many physiological activities, such as hormone secretion and cell mitosis, follow a rhythmic 24-hour cycle in humans. These findings have important clinical implications, demonstrating that human sensitivity to certain medications and psychophysical performance varies throughout the day.

This underscores the significance of chronobiology in medicine and occupational health. They highlight the human body's adaptability to environmental factors but also point out the limits of this flexibility. Exceeding these limits, especially in work environments that disrupt natural biological rhythms, can lead to serious health issues and psychological distress. This think&drink session will explore what can happen when "desynchronizing" such clocks.