In Denmark, 37 women have won the right to compensation after claiming their breast cancers were linked to long-term night shift work. In November 2007, Denmark decided to consider financial compensation, after reliable studies had shown possible links between night work over a period of 20 to 30 years and breast cancer. Compensation varied from case to case, and was financed by the employers' insurance but, in all cases,
"... there were no other significant factors that might explain the development of breast cancer," according to News Agency AFP.

The Danes are now considering
"... whether the effects of night-shift work should be included on the list of occupational diseases," according to Anne Lind Madsen, director of the National Board of Industrial Injuries. Currently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer is undertaking studies on the subject, after a 2001 study by Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research revealed that night shift work could increase the risk of breast cancer by up to 60 percent. There has also been ongoing research by the Swedish airline SAS following concern expressed by airline cabin crews.

Details of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research were printed in the Journal of National Cancer Information at www. fhcrc.org/about/ne/news/2001/ 10/16/graveyard_cancer. html

From: "Having Fun after Cancer! Verite Reily Collins writes about Cancer Side Effects"
www.after-cancer.com