Acoustic Neuroma brain cancer increased by Mobile Phone
use.
A new study, published in the February 2006 issue of the International
Journal of Oncology, by Professor Lennart Hardell and colleagues shows statistically
significant increases in the risk of benign brain tumors, especially acoustic neuromas, following
the use of mobile telephones.
This study is particularly important because acoustic neuromas are
considered to be a signal tumour for other types of malignant and benign brain lesions. These
tumours occur in areas with the highest radio frequency radiation exposure during calls.
Of primary concern is the finding that the greatest
risk of developing these tumours was for persons who were first
exposed before the age of twenty years. Thus, this is the first published study directly suggesting higher
risks of tumours among teenagers who use mobile telephones.
Other key points regarding this study are as follows:
-
The study includes the largest analysis of benign tumors done to date and covers tumors
diagnosed as recently as 2003.
-
The study shows a dose-response relationship where greater numbers of hours of phone
use results in ever increasing risks of developing tumors. This is particularly important because imprecision
in measuring actual radiation exposure from hours of use tend to mask risks – thus, the risk increases presented
in the study are likely to be underestimates, with true risk increases being higher.
- Significantly greater risk is associated with having used mobile phones for more than 15 years,
a finding consistent with other studies showing that risks dramatically increase after six
and ten years of use.
Index Medicus study reference: “Pooled analysis of two
case-control studies of the use of cellular and coreless telephones and the risk of benign brain tumours diagnosed
during 1997-2003”, International Journal of Oncology 28: 509-518, 2006)
Study Title:
"Pooled analysis of two case-controlled studies on the use of cellular
and cordless telephones and the risk of benign brain tumours diagnosed during 1997 - 2003."
Significant abstracts of the study:
"The use of cellular and cordless telephones is widespread and
increasing in society. A potential association between cellular and cordless telephones and health effects is of
concern and has been discussed and has been discussed in several articles in recent years. Of special concern is
the risk of brain tumours since this is a part of the body with high exposure during phones calls compared to other
parts."
"Cellular telephones emit radio frequency signals during calls."
[Frequencies have increased from 450 MHz (MegaHertz) when first introduced in 1981 to 900 MHz and 1,800 MHz. The
GSM and UMTS frequency is 1,900 MHz. There are other frequency bands available for 3G (3rd Generation)
cellular phone use up to 2,690 MHz.]
"Desktop cordless phones using the analogue system in the 800-900 MHz RF
[radio frequency] have been used in Sweden since 1988. Digital cordless telephones (DECT) that operate at 1,900
MHz have been used since 1991."
[Currently digital cordless telephones use frequencies of 2,200 GHz or 2,400 GHz while the latest available digital
cordless (long range) telephone has now extended up to 5.8 GHz.]
"Acoustic neuroma might be a 'signal' tumour for association with
cellular and cordless telephones , since it is located in an area with high exposure during calls. The tumour risk
would be higher on the on the same side of the head as the exposure to the RF field (ipsilateral exposure)."
"The main finding of our pooled analysis of benign brain tumours was an
increased risk for acoustic neuroma. The highest risk was found for a latency period of >15 years for use of
analogue cellular telephones. However, an increased risk was also found for a shorter latency periods. This
might be consistent with a tumour-producing effect from microwaves. In support of this, a Danish study foudn
significantly larger acoustic neuroma among cellular phone users than controls."
"In the univariate analysis, we also found a significantly increased
risk for using digital cellular or cordless telephones. ... ... hearing loss is an early symptom of acoustic
neuroma leading to a shift of the ear for phone calls during the progress of the disease."
"In conclusion, this pooled analysis showed an increased risk of benign
brain tumours, especially acoustic neuromas. ... For cellular telephones, the OR was highest for subjects
with a first phone use at [under] <20 years of age."
Study Authors:
Professor Lennart Hardell, Department of Oncology, University Hospital,
Orebro, Sweden.
Professor Michael Carlberg, Department of Natural Sciences, Orebro University, Sweden.
Kjell Hansson Mild, National Institute for Working Life, Umea, Sweden.
Index Medicus study reference: “Pooled analysis of two
case-control studies of the use of cellular and coreless telephones and the risk of benign brain tumours diagnosed
during 1997-2003”, International Journal of Oncology 28: 509-518, 2006)
| 
