foodconsumer.org: Cell phones raise brain cancer risk*

Cell phones raise brain cancer risk*
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admin on 10/15/2009 01:55:00
 
Cell phone users are at higher risk of developing brain cancer, a new
meta-analysis study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology suggests.
The analysis actually resulted in two conclusions depending upon which studies
the researchers used in their analysis.
When data from 23 epidemiological studies were used, researchers found no
connection between cell phone use and the development of malignant or benign
tumors.
However, only eight of the 23 studies were of high quality and were more
reliable, said the researchers. In an analysis based on the quality studies, a
clear link was found between cell phone use and brain tumors.
"The other group of 15 studies were not as high quality," said Joel M.
Moskowitz, coauthor of the study and director of the UC Berkeley Center for
Family and Community Health.
"They either found no association or a negative association or a protective
effect," said Moskowitz, "which I don't think anyone would have predicted."
Based on the eight quality studies, Moskowitz and colleagues found cellphone
users had a 10 to 30 percent increased risk of cancer compared with those who
rarely used cell phones or mobile phones.
The risk was particularly higher in those who used cell phones for more than 10
years compared with those who did not use cell phones at all, the authors of the
study said.
When all data from the 23 studies were pooled, no connection between use of cell
phones and brain cancer was observed.
Seven of the eight high-quality studies were conducted by Dr. Lennart Hardell,
an oncologist in Sweden.
Dr. Hardell reviewed previous studies and published his findings in the April
2007 issue of Occupational and Environmental Medicine showing that the risk of
brain tumors in long-term cellphone users was much higher than the current
meta-analysis.
To evluate brain tumor risk among long-term users of cell phones, Hardell
reviewed two cohort and 16 case-control studies and found of the 16 case-control
studies, 11 gave results for more than 10-year use of cell phones. Of these
studies, four associated elevated risk of acoustic neuroma in those who used
cell phones for more than 10 years.
No risk was found in one study, but the tumor size was found significantly
bigger in cell phone users.
Specifically, ipsilateral cell phone use (or use of cell phones on the same
side) would increase risk of acountstic neuroma, a benign tumor, by 140 percent
and risk of glioma by 100 percent. High grade of glioma is malignant or it is a
type of cancer.
Hardell concluded that "Results from present studies on use of mobile phones for
> or =10 years give a consistent pattern of increased risk for acoustic neuroma
and glioma. The risk is highest for ipsilateral exposure."
Of the studies included in the current study, some of the less-stringent studies
were part of the Inerphone project under the World Health Organization's
International Agency for Research on Cancer.
The program was sponsored in part by the Mobile Manufacturers Forum and the
Global System for Mobile Communication Association, which have high stakes in
the cell phone business.
By David Liu davidl at foodconsumer dot org and editing by Sheilah Downey
sheilahd at foodconsumer dot org
Editor's comment:  Readers who need to use cell phones but want to reduce the
risk may compare cell phone companies to see which offers what and buy a best
cell phone in terms of energy output or cell phone radiation.  The Environmental
Working Group has found certain cell phones are better than others.  Cell phone
service may play a role in the risk.  Cell phone headset may also help.