Blue Light Linked to Cancers

Our lives have become so dependent on technology nowadays, some for the better, but a lot for the worse. I’m referring to the harmful effects of the blue light emitted from our devices, that we’re exposed to almost everywhere on a daily basis. It not only affects our hormones, overall health and sleep, but recently I came across this study showing how blue light is linked to cancers.

In this study substantial evidence shows that exposure to artificial sources of light at night (in work, home and community settings) leads to disrupted circadian rhythms and increases the risk of breast cancer (1). And this isn’t exclusive to breast cancers only, it’s also been shown that behavioral or mood (5) disorders can also be linked to how much light your exposed to at night as well as being a night-shift worker (2).

And women are not alone when it comes to light & cancer, the adverse health effects of light pollution isn’t limited to women only, other reports indicate that a high incidence of prostate cancer can be linked to adverse light contact as well (3).

What’s the issue with blue light?

Blue light is the light that is released in a shorter wavelength form coming from our computers, phones, LED lights, and TVs.  They’re pretty much unavoidable as blue light is everywhere nowadays. From our refrigerators, grocery stores, malls, offices, kitchens, bedrooms and living rooms. And to make matters worse, most light bulbs today are mostly sold as blue lights.  These short wavelengths of blue light disturb the secretion of melatonin and causes circadian phase shifts (4) in our body.

This study showed that the effects are amplified if we use our devices at night. They stated that women who carry mutated BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes or women with family history of breast cancer should avoid using their smartphones, tablets and laptops at night. And men, there’s no reason this should be any different for you as well. Men are prone to breast cancer, and using your laptops or phones at night is still a risk when it comes to prostate cancer as well.

What can you do to avoid blue light transmission?

First of all, you’ll want to protect your eyes at night using glasses with amber lenses, (use DrNirvana10 for a 10% discount) which decrease your exposure to blue light before sleep which will decrease the disruption of your circadian rhythm as well. Put these on two hours prior to bedtime or as soon as the sunsets. Best of all, limit your exposure to all technology before bed and consider turning off all the lights in your home once the sunsets. While it may seem archaic, your eyes and hormones will welcome the change. Your calming neurotransmitters will be able to work better allowing your stimulatory ones to rest, relax, and prepare for bedtime.