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Published in: Cancer Causes & Control 4/2006

01-05-2006 | Special Section on Cancer and Rhythm

The Anti-tumor Activity of Pineal Melatonin and Cancer Enhancing Life Styles in Industrialized Societies

Authors: Christian Bartsch, Hella Bartsch

Published in: Cancer Causes & Control | Issue 4/2006

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Abstract

This review discusses the potential role of the anti-tumor activity of pineal melatonin for the aetiology and prevention of cancers related to life-styles in industrialized societies, e.g. frequent long-distance flights as well as chronic night shift work leading to circadian disturbances of neuroendocrine parameters including melatonin. Experimental studies show that melatonin controls not only the growth of well-differentiated cancers, but also possesses anti-carcinogenic properties. Therefore, it is plausible that disturbances of circadian melatonin rhythmicity could be functionally involved in elevated cancer risks among aircrew members and nurses frequently working on night shifts. Due to the suppression of melatonin by light it can be assumed that too much artificial light at night could, at least in part, be responsible for generally increasing rates of e.g. breast cancer in industrialized countries. It is discussed under which conditions a transient substitutional therapy with melatonin could be justified or which forms of living could help to physiologically foster melatonin secretion to optimise control over cancerous growth and development.
Footnotes
1
Short photoperiods are those, in which the length of the light phase is equal to or below 11.5 h per 24 h’ lighting cycle.
 
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Metadata
Title
The Anti-tumor Activity of Pineal Melatonin and Cancer Enhancing Life Styles in Industrialized Societies
Authors
Christian Bartsch
Hella Bartsch
Publication date
01-05-2006
Publisher
Kluwer Academic Publishers
Published in
Cancer Causes & Control / Issue 4/2006
Print ISSN: 0957-5243
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7225
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-005-9011-8

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