The multifaceted impact of circadian disruption on cancer risk: insights and economic implications

Abstract

Background Circadian disruption has emerged as a significant risk factor for cancer, driven by mechanisms such as hormonal imbalances, impaired DNA repair, immune suppression, and metabolic dysregulation. Modern societal patterns—shift work, artificial light at night, and irregular sleep schedules—have exacerbated these risks. Methods We conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, screening over 500 studies published between 2003 and 2023 from PubMed, Scopus, Embase, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria focused on peer-reviewed epidemiological and mechanistic studies linking circadian disruption with cancer risk. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for methodological quality assessment. Results A total of 75 high-quality studies were included. Strong evidence supports associations between circadian disruption and breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers, with limited but emerging evidence for melanoma and bladder cancer. Mechanistic pathways involve melatonin suppression, dysregulation of CLOCK and BMAL1 genes, reduced natural killer cell activity, and chronic inflammation due to metabolic imbalance. Light-at-night (LAN) exposure and prolonged night shift work were consistently identified as major risk factors. Furthermore, economic analyses reveal a substantial burden due to increased healthcare costs and productivity losses, particularly in shift work-dominated sectors. Conclusions Circadian misalignment is a critical, yet often overlooked, contributor to cancer incidence and associated economic burdens. Public health strategies—such as regulating shift schedules, reducing LAN exposure, and promoting chronotherapy—are essential to mitigate these risks. Further research should address sex-based differences, improve exposure measurement, and extend investigations to low- and middle-income countries.