Introduction: Shift work is a recognized stressful problem due to accumulation of mental and physical fatigue. It is a biological and biochemical process that begins in the brain and spreads through the autonomic nervous system causing hormone release and eventually exerting an effect on various body systems leading to health problems. Rotating shift work is associated with hypertension, cardiovascular troubles, fatigue, gastro-intestinal disturbance and poor sleep quality and may play a role in development of breast cancer. Objective: The current study aimed at assessment of
different health hazards among rotating shift workers and the effect of shift work on cortisol, prolactin, and IgA levels with special reference to carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA). Subjects and Methods: The work was conducted on 46 female workers (nurses), matched with day shift female nurses as control group using a detailed questionnaire including occupational history. Clinical examination was performed. Cortisol, prolactin, melatonin, IgA and carcinoenbryonic antigen (CEA) serum levels were measured. Results: The prolactin and cortisol as well as CEA levels showed a statistically significant difference between rotating shift workers and the day-time workers. The melatonin and IgA levels were statistically significantly lower in rotating shift workers in contrast to those of day-shift workers. In correlation with the duration of employment and age of the worker, there was a statistically significant positive correlation with cortisol and CEA and a statistically significant negative correlation with melatonin. Conclusion: The study reported that shift workers had different health disorders including excess risk of development of breast cancer. Recommendations: CEA may be helpful as a prognostic tumor marker, so, further studies with CA125 and/ or CA 19-9 could be performed.