Use of Mobile and Cordless Phones and the Association with Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Category: Epidemiology Tags: radiofrequency radiation, prostate cancer, mobile phones, cordless phones, cancer risk, epidemiology, RF exposure DOI: 10.26502/fjhs.273 URL: fortunejournals.com Overview Exposure to radiofrequency (RF) radiation in the frequency range 30 kHz-300 GHz was in 2011 evaluated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) at the World Health Organization (WHO) to be a 'possible' human carcinogen, Group 2B. - Classification was based on epidemiological results indicating increased risk for glioma and acoustic neuroma. - Data regarding other cancer types, such as prostate cancer, remain sparse. Findings An increased incidence in male rats of proliferative lesions in the prostate gland induced by RF radiation was previously discovered in the US NTP study. This led to investigation of a possible association with prostate cancer in human studies. - Analysis of data from two previous studies (one on brain tumors and one on prostate cancer) examined the use of mobile and cordless phones. - Pooled analysis for mobile phone use: OR = 1.8, 95 % CI = 1.01-3.1. - Increased to OR = 2.8, 95 % CI = 1.5-5.3 with >10 year latency. - Cordless phone use: Increased risk observed, but not statistically significant. - Dose-response analysis for mobile phones: - Highest risk for >2,000 hours of use: OR = 2.4, 95 % CI = 1.2-5.1. - Cordless phones: Highest risk in the 1001-2000 hour group: OR = 2.3, 95 % CI = 1.01-5.4. - Lower OR seen for use >2,000 hours (based on low numbers). - Higher risk observed among patients with more aggressive prostate cancer (based on Gleason score, PSA, and high risk profile). - Increased risk noted in those with family history (heredity) of prostate cancer. Conclusion This research suggests a significant association between prolonged RF radiation exposure from mobile and cordless phone use and increased risk of prostate cancer, particularly among those with longer use, higher duration, or hereditary risk factors.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

Pooled analysis of two previous studies reported increased odds of prostate cancer with mobile phone use (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.01–3.1), higher with >10-year latency (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.5–5.3). Dose-response analyses reported higher risk for >2,000 hours of mobile phone use (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2–5.1); for cordless phones, increased risk was noted but overall not statistically significant, with the highest risk in the 1001–2000 hour group (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.01–5.4) and lower OR for >2,000 hours (low numbers). Higher risk was reported among patients with more aggressive prostate cancer and among those with family history.

Outcomes measured

• prostate cancer risk
• aggressive prostate cancer (Gleason score/PSA/high risk profile)

Limitations

• Study designs and methods of the two pooled studies are not described in the abstract.
• Sample size and population characteristics are not reported.
• Exposure metrics and assessment methods are not described beyond latency and cumulative hours.
• Cordless phone results are described as not statistically significant overall; some subgroup estimates are based on low numbers.

Suggested hubs

• who-icnirp (0.55)
  Abstract references IARC/WHO 2011 classification of RF radiation as Group 2B.

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    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone, cordless phone",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": ">10 year latency; cumulative hours (e.g., >2,000 hours)"
    },
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    "outcomes": [
        "prostate cancer risk",
        "aggressive prostate cancer (Gleason score/PSA/high risk profile)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "Pooled analysis of two previous studies reported increased odds of prostate cancer with mobile phone use (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.01–3.1), higher with >10-year latency (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.5–5.3). Dose-response analyses reported higher risk for >2,000 hours of mobile phone use (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.2–5.1); for cordless phones, increased risk was noted but overall not statistically significant, with the highest risk in the 1001–2000 hour group (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.01–5.4) and lower OR for >2,000 hours (low numbers). Higher risk was reported among patients with more aggressive prostate cancer and among those with family history.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
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        "Sample size and population characteristics are not reported.",
        "Exposure metrics and assessment methods are not described beyond latency and cumulative hours.",
        "Cordless phone results are described as not statistically significant overall; some subgroup estimates are based on low numbers."
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.66000000000000003108624468950438313186168670654296875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "unknown",
    "keywords": [
        "radiofrequency radiation",
        "RF exposure",
        "mobile phones",
        "cordless phones",
        "prostate cancer",
        "cancer risk",
        "epidemiology",
        "odds ratio",
        "latency",
        "dose-response"
    ],
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