WOMEN who work at night, like those employed in call centers, could be prone to breast cancer and menstrual problems, according to an Institute for Occupation Health and Safety Development official.
Noting the increasing number of women working the graveyard shift — usually from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. — in the ubiquitous call centers, the institute’s executive director, Noel Colina, said this type of working arrangement could pose health risks for women.
He cited a study by the US-based Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center which found that women who work the graveyard shift may face up to 60 percent higher risk of breast cancer compared to those who never work at night.
The study showed that exposure to light at night may affect the production of melatonin, a hormone which is mainly produced by the pineal glands during the night, Colina said.
“Nighttime sleep deprivation or exposure to light at night somehow interrupts melatonin production, which in turn stimulates the ovaries to kick out extra estrogen, a known hormonal promoter of breast cancer,” he said.
Aside from the increased risk of breast cancer, night time work may also interfere with the menstrual cycle.
“Painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea), absence of menstruation (amenorrhea), and heavy menstruation (menorrhagia) are conditions associated with women taking the graveyard shift,” Colina said.
He noted that this was the main reason pregnant women are not allowed to work at night as it can adversely affect the health of both mother and child.
“Although the study isn’t conclusive, it provides us [with] pointers on how to address and protect the occupational health and safety of working women at call centers,” Colina said.
He said call center companies should provide free and regular breast cancer screening for their employees as well as seminars on how to prevent breast cancer.
They should also sponsor regular seminars on health and safety in the workplace and set up health and safety committees, he added. –Jerome Aning, Philippine Daily Inquirer
September 18 –
International Equal Pay Day
“Increase wages now,
more than other cost items.
For widespread, practical equality!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
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September –
5 Sept – Intl Day of Charity
7 Sept – Intl Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
8 Sept – International Literacy Day
12 Sept – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
15 Sept – International Day of Democracy
16 Sept – International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
17 Sept – World Patient Safety Day
18 Sept – International Equal Pay Day
21 Sept – International Day of Peace
26 Sept – International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
27 Sept – World Tourism Day
28 Sept – International Day for Universal Access to Information
29 Sept – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
30 Sept – World Maritime Day
Monthly Observances:
Health, Safety and Sanitation Month
National Clean-up Month
Civil Service Month
National Peace Consciousness Month
Social Security Month
Rule of Law Month
National Teachers’ Month (Sept 5-Oct 4)
Weekly Observances:
Sept 17 – 23:
World Clean and Green Week
Week 2: Education Week
Week 4: Medicine Week
Last Week: National Family Week
Daily Observances:
Third Saturday:
International Coastal Clean-up Day
Third Monday: World Health Day
Last Friday: National Maritime Day
Sept 8: National Literacy Day
Sept 15: Philippine Medicine Day
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