Epidemiological study (observational study)

Ionizing radiation, cellular telephones and the risk for brain tumours epidem.

By: Hardell L, Hansson Mild K, Pahlson A, Hallquist A

Published in: Eur J Cancer Prev 2001; 10 (6): 523-529

Aim of study (acc. to author)

In this study, further analyses on the database of a Swedish case-control study (see publication 1015) were performed on the risk of brain tumours and the use of cellular telephones, exposure to ionizing radiation and occupational exposure.

Further details

Furthermore, there is an additional, similar analysis on the database of the same case-control study (publication 1015) in publication 6110.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

brain tumor

Type of risk estimation:

incidence

(odds ratio (OR))

Exposure

- 50/60 Hz
- magnetic field
- also other exposures without EMF
- PC/TV monitor
- mobile communications
- analog mobile phone
- digital mobile phone
- GSM
- NMT
- occupational
- personal

Assessment

questionnaire: use of cellular phone during leisure time and at work, type of phone (analog or digital), years of use, mean number of minutes of daily use over the years, use in car with fixed external antenna or hands-free devices, ear most frequently used during calls
interview: supplementing data
calculation: cumulative use in hours

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Group 1	tumor localization brain hemisphere, ipsilateral cellular phone use
Group 2	tumor localization brain hemisphere, contralateral use
Group 3	tumor localization brain hemisphere, ipsilateral and contralateral use
Group 4	tumor localization frontal, frontoparietal, parietal, or parieto-occipital, ipsilateral use
Group 5	tumor localization frontal, frontoparietal, parietal, or parieto-occipital, contralateral use
Group 6	tumor localization frontal, frontoparietal, parietal, or parieto-occipital, ipsilateral and contralateral use
Group 7	tumor localization temporal, occipital or temporoparietal, ipsilateral use
Group 8	tumor localization temporal, occipital or temporoparietal, contralateral use
Group 9	tumor localization temporal, occipital or temporoparietal, ipsilateral and contralateral use

Population

Group:
- men
- women
Age: 21–80 years
Observation period: 1994 - 1996
Study location: Sweden (Uppsala-Örebro region, Stockholm region)

Case group

Characteristics: brain tumor, histopathologically verified
Data source: Oncological Centres
Exclusion criteria: deceased, too ill, recurrent tumor

Control group

Selection:
- population-based
Matching:
- sex
- age
- area
- case:control = 1:2

Study size

	Cases	Controls
Eligible	270	-
Contacted	233	466
Participants	217	439
Evaluable	209	425

Statistical analysis method:

multivariate analysis

Results (acc. to author)

Only results concerning exposure to electromagnetic fields are listed within the EMF-Portal.
No association was found with occupations with potential exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (eg., electrician, electronics work or telecommunication work) and the risk for brain tumor. The use of a video display unit did not increase the risk. An increased risk for brain tumor was found for ipsilateral use of mobile phone in the anatomic area with highest microwave dose.

Limitations (acc. to author)

The result for mobile phone exposure is based on low numbers (13 cases) and must be interpreted with caution.

Study funded by

Cancer och Allergifonden (Cancer and Allergy Foundation), Sweden
Örebro Cancer Fund, Sweden
Swedish Medical Research Council (SMRC), Sweden

Comments on this article

Janssens JP (2005): Mobile phones and cancer?

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