Mobile phones and brain cancer

Posted on Mon, 12 Oct 09

Whether or not cell phones are linked to the development of brain tumours continues to be a hotly debated topic but this really boils down to which scientific reports you read, those funded by the mobile phone industry (which report that mobile phones protect against brain tumours) or those that have been independently funded (which report an increased risk for brain tumour in mobile phone users). As was the case for tobacco it may be that industry funded science is being used to delay action against the potential danger of mobile phones (1).

The tip of the iceberg

Almost half the world’s population now uses a mobile phone and never in history have humans been exposed to such high levels of electromagnetic radiation. Exposure to radiation occurs when a mobile phone user is on a call and is highest on the side of the head to which the phone is held. There have been warning signs since the early 1990s that mobile phones may increase risk for brain tumours however because radiation-induced brain tumours normally  take about 10–15 years to develop (according to the American Cancer Society) it would have been surprising to find a strong effect so early. Now that longer term studies are available a consistent risk for brain tumour is emerging (1-4).

Long-term mobile phone use increases cancer risk

 A number of large analysis have recently found that mobile phone use for greater than 10 years is associated with an increased risk of developing glioma (malignant brain tumours) and acoustic neuromas (benign tumours of the brain’s auditory nerve). Furthermore mobile phone use doubles the risk for a brain tumour developing on the side of the head preferred for mobile phone use. Children appear to be at the greatest risk. (4-5). Risk also increases with more frequent use and the higher the radiation level from the phone (mobile phones vary in the amount of radiation they produce) (6-7). 

A call to action

With such high levels of mobile phone use worldwide, and children being amongst the heaviest users, a number of scientists have highlighted the potential danger of mobile phones and are calling for governmental action (1,4,5). While more studies are needed to asses the level of cancer risk the current evidence is sufficient reason for serious concern.

To reduce your exposure to mobile phone radiation use a head set (not a wireless headset) and/ or speaker phone to reduce the distance of the device from your ear. Even a small change in the distance of the mobile from your ear could significantly reduce the amount of radiation absorbed by your head.

 *For more tips on reducing your exposure to mobile phone radiation and to rate your phone, click here

References

1. Morgan LL. Estimating the risk of brain tumors from cellphone use: Published case-control studies. Pathophysiology. 2009 Aug;16(2-3):137-47.

2. Kundi M. The controversy about a possible relationship between mobile phone use and cancer. Environ Health Perspect. 2009 Mar;117(3):316-24.

3. Mead MN. Strong signal for cell phone effects. Environ Health Perspect. 2008 Oct;116(10):A422.

4. Khurana VG, Teo C, Kundi M, Hardell L, Carlberg M. Cell phones and brain tumors: a review including the long-term epidemiologic data. Surg Neurol. 2009 Sep;72(3):205-14.

5. Hardell L, Carlberg M, Hansson Mild K. Epidemiological evidence for an association between use of wireless phones and tumor diseases. Pathophysiology. 2009 Aug;16(2-3):113-22.

6.  Mild, et al., Pooled analysis of two Swedish case–control studies on the use of mobile and cordless telephones and the risk of brain tumours diagnosed during 1997–2003, Int. J. Occup. Safety Ergon. (JOSE) 13 (1) (2007) 63–71.

7. Hardell, et al., Use of cellular telephones and brain tumour risk in urban and rural areas, Occup. Environ. Med. 62 (2005) 390–394.