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Cancer Causes & Control
Published in: Cancer Causes & Control 12/2010

01-12-2010 | Original paper

Light at night and breast cancer risk: results from a population-based case–control study in Connecticut, USA

Authors: Qian Li, Tongzhang Zheng, Theodore R. Holford, Peter Boyle, Yawei Zhang, Min Dai

Published in: Cancer Causes & Control | Issue 12/2010

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Abstract

Objective

To investigate the potential association between domestic exposure to light at night (LAN) and the risk of human breast cancer.

Methods

A case–control study of female breast cancer was conducted in Connecticut. A total of 363 incident breast cancer cases and 356 age frequency-matched controls were interviewed using a standardized, structured questionnaire to obtain information on sleeping patterns and bedroom light environment. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by unconditional multivariate logistic regression.

Results

A non-significantly increased risk of breast cancer was observed among postmenopausal women for those keeping lights on while sleeping (OR = 1.4, 95% CI 0.7, 2.7), those who reported mainly sleeping in the daytime (OR = 1.4, 95% CI 0.5, 4.3), and those not drawing the curtains/window shades while sleeping at night (OR = 1.2, 95% CI 0.8, 1.9).

Conclusion

The results from this study suggest a potential increased risk of breast cancer associated with domestic exposure to LAN. Further studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm the results.
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Metadata
Title
Light at night and breast cancer risk: results from a population-based case–control study in Connecticut, USA
Authors
Qian Li
Tongzhang Zheng
Theodore R. Holford
Peter Boyle
Yawei Zhang
Min Dai
Publication date
01-12-2010
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Cancer Causes & Control / Issue 12/2010
Print ISSN: 0957-5243
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7225
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-010-9653-z

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