Study type: Epidemiological study (observational study)

Time trends (1998-2007) in brain cancer incidence rates in relation to mobile phone use in England epidem.

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2011; 32 (5): 334-339

Aim of study (acc. to author)

Trends in rates of newly diagnosed brain cancer cases in England between 1998 and 2007 were examined to evaluate whether radiofrequency exposure to mobile phones increases the risk of brain cancer.

Further details

Trends in incidence rates are determined separately for gender, age groups and different anatomic sites of brain tumors.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

Type of risk estimation: (standardized incidence rate (SIR))

Exposure

Assessment

Population

Results (acc. to author)

Overall, there were no time trends in the incidence of brain cancers for either gender, or any specific age group. Systematic increases in rates for cancers of the temporal lobe in men (0.04 new cases/year) and women (0.02 new cases/year) were observed, along with decreases in the rates of cancers of the parietal lobe (-0.03 new cases/year), cerebrum (-0.02 new cases/year) and cerebellum (-0.01 new cases/year) in men only.
The authors concluded that the increased and widespread use of mobile phones has not led to a noticeable increase in the incidence of brain cancer in England between 1998 and 2007. The observed increase in the incidence rate of cancers in the temporal lobe, if caused by mobile phone use, would contribute to < 1 new case per 100,000 persons in 10 years. The authors interpreted the data as not indicating a pressing need to implement a precautionary principle to reduce exposure to mobile phones by means of population-wide interventions.

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