Epidemiological study (observational study)

Case-control study on the use of mobile and cordless phones and the risk for malignant melanoma in the head and neck region epidem.

By: Hardell L, Carlberg M, Hansson Mild K, Eriksson M

Published in: Pathophysiology 2011; 18 (4): 325-333

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A case-control study was conducted in Sweden to investigate the association of the use of mobile phones and cordless phones and the risk for malignant melanoma in the head and neck region.

Further details

The localization of malignant melanomas in the head and neck region was further divided into the temporal area including cheek and ear as well as other parts.
Study participants with exposure to mobile phones or cordless phones of one year or less before diagnosis were classified as unexposed.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

malignant melanoma in the head and neck region

Type of risk estimation:

incidence

(odds ratio (OR))

Exposure

- also other exposures without EMF
- mobile communications
- mobile phone
- cordless phone
- personal

Assessment

questionnaire: whole working history; use of mobile phones (first year of use, type of phone (analog, digital), mean minutes of daily use over the years, use in a car with external antenna or a hands-free device; use of cordless phones; ear most frequently used during calls

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	unexposed
Group 2	cumulative use of mobile phones: ≤ 128 h; > 1-5 year latency
Group 3	cumulative use of mobile phones: ≤ 128 h; > 5-10 year latency
Group 4	cumulative use of mobile phones: ≤ 128 h; > 10 year latency
Group 5	cumulative use of mobile phones: ≤ 128 h; > 1 year latency (group 2+3+4)
Group 6	cumulative use of mobile phones: > 128 h; > 1-5 year latency
Group 7	cumulative use of mobile phones: > 128 h; > 5-10 year latency
Group 8	cumulative use of mobile phones: > 128 h; > 10 year latency
Group 9	cumulative use of mobile phones: > 128 h; > 1 year latency
Group 10	cumulative use of cordless phones: ≤ 365 h; > 1-5 year latency
Group 11	cumulative use of cordless phones: ≤ 365 h; > 5-10 year latency
Group 12	cumulative use of cordless phones: ≤ 365 h; > 10 year latency
Group 13	cumulative use of cordless phones: ≤ 365 h; > 1 year latency
Group 14	cumulative use of cordless phones: > 365 h; > 1-5 year latency
Group 15	cumulative use of cordless phones: > 365 h; > 5-10 year latency
Group 16	cumulative use of cordless phones: > 365 h; > 10 year latency
Group 17	cumulative use of cordless phones: > 365 h; > 1 year latency
Group 18	cumulative use of wireless phones (mobile and/or cordless phones): ≤ 365 h; > 1-5 year latency
Group 19	cumulative use of wireless phones (mobile and/or cordless phones): ≤ 365 h; > 5-10 year latency
Group 20	cumulative use of wireless phones (mobile and/or cordless phones): ≤ 365 h; > 10 year latency
Group 21	cumulative use of wireless phones (mobile and/or cordless phones): ≤ 365 h; > 1 year latency
Group 22	cumulative use of wireless phones (mobile and/or cordless phones): > 365 h; > 1-5 year latency
Group 23	cumulative use of wireless phones (mobile and/or cordless phones): > 365 h; > 5-10 year latency
Group 24	cumulative use of wireless phones (mobile and/or cordless phones): > 365 h; > 10 year latency
Group 25	cumulative use of wireless phones (mobile and/or cordless phones): > 365 h; > 1 year latency

Population

Group:
- men
- women
Age: 20–77 years
Observation period: 2000 - 2003
Study location: Sweden

Case group

Characteristics: malignant melanoma in the head and neck region, histopathologically verified
Data source: Swedish Cancer Registry

Control group

Selection:
- population-based
Matching:
- sex
- 5-year age group

Study size

	Cases	Controls
Eligible	421	1,478
Participants	247	1,184

Statistical analysis method:

unconditional logistic regression

(adjustment:

age
sex
year of diagnosis

)

Results (acc. to author)

Long-term mobile phone use of more than 10 years was reported by 57 cases, cordless phone use by 17 cases and in total wireless phone use by 67 subjects.
Overall, no association of the use of mobile phones and cordless phones and the risk for malignant melanoma in the head and neck region was found. However, in the most exposed area (temporal, cheek and ear) cumulative use of more than 365 h of mobile phone yielded in the > 1-5-year latency group odds ratio (OR) of 2.1 (CI 0.7-6.1) and cordless phone use gave odds ratio of 2.1 (CI 1.2-3.8). No interaction was found with established risk factors (such as fair hair colour, blue eyes, skin type 1 or 2 (never or sometimes tanned), severe sunburns as teenager).

Limitations (acc. to author)

The results must be interpreted with caution due to low numbers and potential methodological shortcomings in the study type of a case-control study.

Study funded by

Cancer och Allergifonden (Cancer and Allergy Foundation), Sweden
Cancerhjälpen (Cancerhelp), Sweden
Nyckelfonden, Sweden

Poulsen AH et al. (2013): Mobile Phone Use and the Risk of Skin Cancer: A Nationwide Cohort Study in Denmark
Tynes T et al. (2003): Residential and occupational exposure to 50 Hz magnetic fields and malignant melanoma: a population based study
Guenel P et al. (1993): Incidence of cancer in persons with occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields in Denmark
De Guire L et al. (1988): Increased incidence of malignant melanoma of the skin in workers in a telecommunications industry
Olin R et al. (1985): Mortality experience of electrical engineers