Case-control study on risk factors for testicular cancer.
Hardell L, Nasman A, Ohlson CG, Fredrikson M. · 1998
View Original AbstractMen with extended computer screen exposure showed 80% higher testicular cancer risk in this Swedish study.
Plain English Summary
Swedish researchers studied 148 men with testicular cancer and 314 healthy controls to identify occupational risk factors. They found that men working with video display units (computer screens) had an 80% higher risk of testicular cancer after extended exposure (about 480 working days). Amateur radio operators, radar workers, and electronics engineers also showed elevated risks, though based on smaller numbers of cases.
Why This Matters
This 1998 Swedish study provides early evidence linking electromagnetic field exposures to testicular cancer, particularly from video display units. What makes this research significant is that it examined multiple EMF sources in the same population, finding consistent patterns of elevated cancer risk. The 80% increased risk for extended VDU work is particularly concerning given how ubiquitous computer screens have become in modern workplaces. The researchers also found elevated risks among amateur radio operators and electronics workers, suggesting a broader pattern of EMF-related cancer risk. While the authors appropriately note that some findings need further study due to small sample sizes, the consistency of elevated risks across different EMF sources strengthens the overall pattern. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that occupational EMF exposures may contribute to cancer development, particularly in reproductive organs.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
The aim of this study is to investigate Case-control study on risk factors for testicular cancer.
Occupational exposures were assessed in a case-control study on testicular cancer using self adminis...
Answers were obtained for 148 (91%) cases and 314 (87%) controls. Of the cases 101 had seminoma and ...
Because of low numbers of exposed subjects in some calculations some of these results might be spurious and need to be further studied.
Show BibTeX
@article{l_1998_casecontrol_study_on_risk_2159,
author = {Hardell L and Nasman A and Ohlson CG and Fredrikson M.},
title = {Case-control study on risk factors for testicular cancer.},
year = {1998},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9824648/},
}