Mobile (cell) phones associated with a 70% increased risk of malignant brain tumours

This study was published in the International Journal of Oncology 2013 Dec;43(6):1833-45

 

Study title and authors:

Case-control study of the association between malignant brain tumours diagnosed between 2007 and 2009 and mobile and cordless phone use.

Hardell L, Carlberg M, Söderqvist F, Mild KH.

Department of Oncology, University Hospital, SE-701 85 Örebro, Sweden.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24064953

Hardell notes that when mobile (cell) and cordless phones are used they emit radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs) and the brain is the main target organ for the handheld phone. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified in May, 2011 RF-EMF as a group 2B, i.e. a 'possible' human carcinogen.

The aim of this study was to further explore the relationship between especially long-term use of wireless (mobile and cordless) phones and the development of malignant brain tumours. The study included 593 patients, aged 18-75 years, with a malignant brain tumour and 1,386 controls.

The study found:
(a) Use of a wireless phones (mobile or cordless) was associated with a 70% increased risk of malignant brain tumours.
(b) Use of a wireless phones (mobile or cordless) for more than 25 years was associated with a 200% increased risk of malignant brain tumours.

Hardell concluded: "This study confirmed previous results of an association between mobile and cordless phone use and malignant brain tumours. These findings provide support for the hypothesis that RF-EMFs play a role both in the initiation and promotion stages of carcinogenesis".