Radiofrequencies do cause Cancer

THE  MOSS  REPORTS    -  Sept. 2005

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Abstracts concerning the safety of devices such as cell phones that emit radiofrequency energy fields -

Do Radiofrequency Energy Fields Cause Cancer?

Do these energy fields cause or predispose to the development of cancer?  Controversy still swirls around the issue.  While some researchers have concluded that the risk is minimal, others are less sanguine.

A weak but statistically significant link has been established between residential exposure to energy emissions from nearby power lines and the development of a small percentage of childhood leukemias, for example (Greenland 2000; Ahlbom 2000).

Researchers have repeatedly demonstrated that radiofrequency electromagnetic fields are capable of disrupting physiological processes at the cellular level, leading, among other things,

. . . to the accumulation of free radicals within the cell, and have proposed that such disturbances may in turn create conditions in which malignant change can more easily take place.

While the regulatory agencies charged with protecting the public’s safety insist that there is nothing to worry about, research suggests cause for concern and this research is still in progressing.

All too often the attitude of these agencies can suggest at best a wilful complacency, and at worst a stubborn and paternalistic refusal to acknowledge even the need for a continued dialog on the subject.

DNA damage possible

Exposure to radiofrequency energy brings about damage to DNA indirectly, through subtle physiological effects on cellular functions.  It has been established, for example, that radiofrequency electromagnetic fields can induce a wide variety of physiological changes in cell membranes, signaling pathways, cell growth cycle regulation, and other metabolic processes within the cell.

Epigenetic changes to genes

It has also been suggested that radiofrequency electromagnetic fields may cause what are called 'epigenetic’ changes.  Epigenetic changes are minute alterations in gene expression, which are brought about by environmental influences.  Such alterations in the settings of individual genes can have far-reaching results – as, for example, when a protective gene is deactivated, or a dormant gene switched on.

Epigenetic changes, in other words, even though they do not involve direct damage to the DNA, can cause radical alterations in gene expression and cellular functions that can last a lifetime, and that may result in a significantly increased risk of an individual developing cancer and other diseases.

Effects on Melatonin

Furthermore, radiofrequency electromagnetic field exposure may possibly exert a disruptive effect on the body’s hormonal systems, with wide-ranging consequences.  As researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle have shown, RF EMF is capable of suppressing pineal gland production of the hormone, melatonin.  Melatonin may exert a protective effect against cancer, and depressed melatonin levels may in turn predispose towards the development of cancer (Davis 2001).

Other subtle changes in metabolic norms may also be induced by radiofrequency emissions.  This summer, Turkish scientists at Suleyman Demirel University published a paper showing that exposure to 900 MHz electrical fields (the kind typically emitted by cellular telephones) suppresses production of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and thyroid hormones in rats (Koyu 2005).

They have also shown that long term RF EMF exposure can lead to chronically increased levels of free radicals, which, coupled with a concomitant decrease in key antioxidant systems in the brain, can lead to a heightened risk of brain cancer.  Interestingly, these researchers found that the increased risk of brain cancer could be substantially offset by administration of the dietary supplement, Gingko Biloba (Ilhan 2004).

A weak but consistent association between exposure to RF EMF and the development of childhood leukemia has been demonstrated.  In 1999, the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) concluded that although the evidence was not strong, there were still reasons for caution.

The NIEHS rationale, according to its own website, was that "no individual epidemiological study provided convincing evidence linking magnetic field exposure with childhood leukemia, but the overall pattern of results for some methods of measuring exposure suggested a weak association between increasing exposure to EMF and increasing risk of childhood leukemia.

The small number of cases in these studies made it impossible to firmly demonstrate this association.  However, the fact that similar results had been observed in studies of different populations using a variety of study designs supported this observation."

Clearly therefore, even though the association between RF EMF and disease is still very much under investigation, there are definite grounds for concern.

Scientific Studies do Find a Link

While many scientists [still] dismiss the possibility that RF EMFs can cause cancer, others disagree.  Briefly, here are just three of the current and recent studies that have indicated a link between radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and malignancy.

In the eyes of some researchers, in fact, "there is a growing amount of evidence about the harmful effects of EMFs [electromagnetic fields, ed.] on the human body, the most dangerous of which is the possible carcinogenic effect."  So wrote Israeli scientists in reviewing the overall field in the spring of 2005 (Beniashvili 2005).

...  pro-industry researchers would on the whole be less likely than more independent scientists to warn of the potential risks of EMF exposure, so the fact that these researchers acknowledge the possibility of a breast cancer/EMF link is very significant.

...  in a meta-analysis performed at the University of Cologne, Germany, Prof. Thomas C. Erren found a 12 percent increased risk of cancer in women and a 37 percent increase in men that seemed attributable to EMF exposure [from electromagnetic field exposure emanating from power lines].  Yet, like most scientists in the field, he adds a note of caution, noting "probable misclassification of exposure and the possible misclassification of the disease itself." (Erren 2001).                                    >   >   >   >   >

Scandinavian researchers have identified an increased risk for acoustic neuroma (i.e., a benign tumor of the eighth cranial nerve) in cell phone users, and a slightly increased risk of malignant brain tumors such as astrocytoma and meningioma on the same side of the brain as the cell phone was habitually held.  However, the authors of this latter study have acknowledged some methodological concerns, and further investigations are planned in order to determine whether such an association can be definitively established with statistical significance.  (Hardell 2004 and 2005).

Most recently, the aforementioned Dr. Djemal Beniashvili and other scientists at the Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel postulated a link between exposure to power frequency fields and breast cancer in elderly women.  They made an extensive study of medical records extending over a period of 26 years, involving the analysis of over 200,000 biopsy and surgery samples.  They then compared the breast cancer rates in elderly women from an earlier period (1978-1990) to a more recent period (1991-2003), which has been characterized by a much more extensive use of personal computers (more than 3 hours a day), mobile/cell telephones, television sets, air conditioners and other household electrical appliances.

Among the elderly women who developed breast cancer in the first time frame, 19.5% were regularly exposed to power frequency fields.  But in the more modern period 51.1% were so exposed, mainly through the use of personal computers.  The authors conclude: "There was a statistically significant influence of EMF [electromagnetic fields, ed.] on the formation of all observed epithelial mammary tumors in Group II."  This represented a more than two-fold increase, which was considered highly significant  (Beniashvili 2005).

Of course, many other environmental factors have changed since the period 1978-1990, but increased environmental exposure to power frequency fields is among the more conspicuous changes to have taken place.

The senior author of the Israeli paper [mentioned], Dr. Itzhak Zusman, is himself the author of 139 PubMed-listed articles, 80 of which relate to cancer.  S. Ozen, who co-authored the paper on EMFs and thyroid function, is similarly well established, with 212 PubMed-listed papers to his credit.

What To Do

In this, as in other matters, I think the Precautionary Principle applies.  If the consequences of an action concerning the use of technology are unknown, but are possibly highly negative, then it is better to limit exposure rather than risk the uncertain, but possibly very negative, consequences.

I ... limit my exposure to ... electromagnetic fields.  And I take supplemental antioxidants with the intention of reducing free radical damage.

Ralph W. Moss, Ph.D.