When Chuck Berry sang "The House of Blue Lights," he extolled that nightspot's great eats and music: "Fryers and broilers and Detroit barbecue ribs" and "an eight-beat combo that just won't quit."

These days, exposure to blue lights — emitted by most white LEDs and many tablet and phone screens — is nothing to sing about.

We've long known that blue light from your phone or tablet messes with your sleep-wake cycle and is associated with obesity, especially in night-shift workers.

Now scientists from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health have published research in the journal Epidemiology that for the first time explores the association between nighttime exposure to outdoor artificial light and colorectal cancer.

Their conclusion: Exposure to the blue light spectrum may increase your risk for this common cancer.

In fact, study participants with the highest exposures to blue light had a 60% higher risk of developing colorectal cancer than those with far less exposure.

This builds on the institute's earlier study that found exposure to nighttime blue light increases the risk for breast and prostate cancers.

What can you do to limit your exposure? It comes down to three smart steps:

1. In the evening, turn on the blue-light filter on your phones, tablets, and computers.

2. Install blackout curtains and/or shades on bedroom windows to keep outdoor light from invading your space.

3. Install blue-free bulbs (they do exist; some with whiter-appearing light than others) in nightlights, as well as in all bedroom and bathroom lights.