Independent report

Shift working: effects on breast cancer and ischaemic heart disease: IIAC position paper 25

A review of the health effects of shift working on breast cancer and ischaemic heart disease.

• From: Industrial Injuries Advisory Council and Department for Work and Pensions
• Published: 8 December 2009

Documents

The association between shift working and (i) breast cancer (ii) ischaemic heart disease

Ref: IIAC position paper 25

PDF, 182 KB, 37 pages

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Details

In 2008, the Danish National Board for Industrial Injuries offered compensation to women who developed breast cancer following a long history of shift working. The council decided to review the evidence in relation to shift working and breast cancer. It decided to consider the evidence in relation to ischaemic heart disease at the same time.

After reviewing the evidence, the council found that most studies did not show a doubling of risk, an important criterion for prescription of a disease under the industrial injuries scheme. They were therefore unable to recommend adding breast cancer and ischaemic heart disease following a long history of shift working to the list of prescribed diseases for which people can claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.

Published 8 December 2009