Risk of graveyard work shifts in call centers
A call center job in the Philippines, since it is usually on a graveyard shift, is a stressful job and a recent study abroad is indicating that the risk of breast cancer (especially to working women) just added another stick to the stress pile.
BBC reported that Denmark began compensating women who developed breast cancer after working night shifts. It was reported that the Danish government’s decision spawned from reports that working night shift could increase women’s risk of breast cancer. This is based on the studies (still unpublished as of this writing) conducted by the World health Organization’s International Agency for research on Cancer, commonly called IARC.
The Mirror reported that “women who work nights are at such serious risk of cancer that only those exposed to substances such as asbestos are in greater peril”
Melatonin, which can help prevent cancer cells growing, was said to be the primary consideration while conducting the study. The study shows that the disruption of the Circadian rhythm or body clock or circadian timing (whichever works for you) hinders or slows the production of the body substance called melatonin that increases the risk of cancer.
According to the Cancer Q &A published at www.nhs.uk “that a similar number of studies in rodents looked at the effect of reducing the normal nighttime production of the hormone melatonin in rodents by removing the gland that makes this hormone. Most of these studies also reported an increased number and growth of tumors”.
It is with this note that this blog urged the government of the Philippines to pass stricter laws governing the health benefits not just of the workers in the call center industry but for all workers across all industries that offers graveyard work shifts. There are call centers that only offer HMO to regular employees, come to think of it; the risk is just the same whether you’re a newbie or tenured. (Puwede din magkasakit ang mga baguhan no!)” We ask for employers to invest for the health of their employees as well as they invest on training them to do the job.
(P.S.: Tanong lang? puwede bang tubuan ng breast cancer ang man-boobs?
Kinakabahan na naman ako)
