Grant: Doctoral Award - Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships

Shiftwork with circadian disruption has been classified as a Group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans) carcinogen and has been linked with increased breast cancer incidence. The biological mechanisms for this link to breast cancer are not yet completely understood, however, disruptions in sleep and associated changes in biological markers which may impact breast cancer development, have been implicated. To date there is little intervention research that has been conducted in the area of shiftwork and breast cancer. Project 1 will evaluate the relationship between physical activity and biological markers of breast cancer risk, as well as investigate the barriers to and preferences of physical activity participation in this population. This information will be used to guide Project 2, a physical activity intervention in female night shift workers at high risk for breast cancer. The aim of this study is to improve aerobic capacity, and reduce biological markers of breast cancer risk.