A newly discovered gene, called Krüppel-like factor 9 (KLF9), showed a connection between a disrupted circadian cycle caused by stress and altered light-dark cycles and breast cancer.
Photo courtesy of Weand Ybañez
This was according to research conducted by the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science.
The KLF9, discovered by molecular biologist Dr. Pia Bagamasbad and student Weand Ybañez at the UPD-National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (NIMBB), can suppress tumor growth and spread of breast cancer cells by following a cyclical pattern as part of a healthy circadian cycle.
“Normal body function involves a regular 24-hour pattern of biological activity, called the ‘circadian cycle,’ which is mainly controlled by the 12-hour light-dark cycle that, in turn, regulates several bodily functions such as sleeping and waking, digestion, and the action of various hormones at different times of the day,” said a NIMBB study.
Since a healthy circadian cycle influences KLF9 in stopping the growth and spread of breast cancer cells, this ability is also affected once a person’s cycle is disrupted by stress and altered light-dark cycles, like those who work graveyard shifts or are frequent international travelers.
This makes a person susceptible to breast cancer risk and development.
The study also noted that KLF9 only exhibits this regular pattern in healthy breast tissues and not in highly-aggressive breast cancer.
With that, the NIMBB research team shed light on the importance of having a regular circadian cycle in their study entitled, “Circadian disruption is an emerging driver of breast cancer, with epidemiological studies linking shift work and chronic jet lag to increased breast cancer risk,” published on Feb. 23 in the journal, Cancer Cell International.
“These findings have potential far-reaching implications not just on our understanding of how cancer develops and spreads and how it can be effectively managed, but more importantly emphasize the need for policies and interventions that can safeguard the overall health and wellness of women working in industries involving disruption in the regular circadian cycle,” Bagamasbad said.
How to achieve a healthy circadian cycle?
Sleep is the biggest contributor to a healthy circadian cycle or rhythm according to the University of California.
Adults need at least a complete eight-hour sleep and it can be achieved by dimming lights for two to three hours before bedtime and taking a bath before going to bed.
Spending at least 30 minutes outdoors every day, exercising, and stress management can also help in achieving a good circadian rhythm.