Epidemiological study (observational study)

Changes in brain glioma incidence and laterality correlates with use of mobile phones - a nationwide population based study in Israel epidem.

By: Barchana M, Margaliot M, Liphshitz I

Published in: Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 2012; 13 (11): 5857-5863

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The study looks at secular trends of brain gliomas incidence and changes in tumor's laterality over 30 years in the population of Israel.

Further details

The preferred side of head using mobile phones was assessed with a questionnaire filled in by 1,000 adult individuals.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

brain tumor: low and high grade gliomas

Type of risk estimation:

incidence

(standardized incidence rate (SIR))

Exposure

- mobile communications
- mobile phone
- personal

Assessment

list: information on mobile phone penetration (number of mobile phones per total population) supplied by 4 providers
questionnaire: preferred side of head using mobile phones

Population

Group:
- men
- women
Age: ≥ 18 years
Characteristics: glioma
Observation period: 1980 - 2009
Study location: Israel
Data source: Israeli National Cancer Registry

Study size

Type	Value
Total	5,263

Other:

7.5 million citizens in Israel

Results (acc. to author)

In 1994, 2% of the Israeli population had a mobile phone, within three years 29% and 67% by year 2000. In 2003 penetration rates reached 100% and by the end of 2009, 9 .6 millions phones were used by 7.5 million inhabitants yielding a penetration rate of 128%.
A decrease in incidence of low grade gliomas that correlated with introduction of mobile technology was found from the standardized incidence rates 2.57, 2.34 and 2.79 per 100,000 inhabitants in the period 1980-1994 to 1.72, 1.82 and 1.57, respectively, over the last three 5-years periods (1995-2009). High-grade glioma incidences increased significantly from 1980-2009 but in the period after mobile phones were introduced (1994-2009) a lower, non-significant rate of increase was observed in males and a lower significant increase in females. A shift towards left-sided tumor location for all adult gliomas combined and separately for low grade gliomas and high grade gliomas was noted from 1995 onward. The shift was more marked for those who were diagnosed in ages 20-49.
The authors concluded that a statistically significant decrease in incidence of low grade gliomas was found over a 30-years period that correlates with introducing of mobile phones technology and a shift in laterality towards left-sided tumors was observed, the latter occurred in both low and high-grade gliomas.

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

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