Pooled analysis of Swedish case-control studies during 1997 2003 and 2007-2009 on meningioma risk associated with the use of mobile and cordless phones.
Carlberg M, Hardell L. · 2015
View Original AbstractHeavy phone users with over 1,400 hours of use showed up to double the meningioma risk, particularly from cordless phones.
Plain English Summary
Swedish researchers analyzed 1,625 meningioma (brain tumor) cases and 3,530 healthy controls to examine whether mobile and cordless phone use increases tumor risk. They found no overall increased risk, but heavy users who talked for more than 1,436 hours showed a 20% increased risk for mobile phones and 70% increased risk for cordless phones. The heaviest users (over 3,358 hours) had double the risk from cordless phones, suggesting prolonged exposure may contribute to these slow-growing brain tumors.
Why This Matters
This Swedish study adds important evidence to the debate over wireless phones and brain cancer risk. What makes these findings particularly significant is the focus on meningiomas, which are slow-growing tumors that can take decades to develop after initial exposure. The researchers found elevated risks specifically among the heaviest users - those with over 1,436 hours of cumulative use, which translates to roughly 24 minutes per day over 10 years. The science demonstrates that cordless phones showed stronger associations than mobile phones, likely because people often hold cordless phones closer to their heads for longer periods. While the overall results showed no increased risk for typical users, the dose-response relationship among heavy users suggests a biological mechanism at work. The reality is that meningiomas represent about one-third of all brain tumors, and this research indicates that our heaviest phone users may face meaningfully elevated risks that deserve serious consideration.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Study Details
A pooled analysis of two case-control studies on meningioma with patients diagnosed during 1997-2003 and 2007-2009 was conducted.
Both genders were included, aged 20-80 and 18-75 years, respectively, at the time of diagnosis. Popu...
Overall no association with use of mobile or cordless phones was found. In the fourth quartile of us...
The present study showed a somewhat increased risk among heavy users of mobile and cordless phones. Since meningioma is generally a slow-growing tumor, longer latency period is necessary for definitive conclusions.
Show BibTeX
@article{m_2015_pooled_analysis_of_swedish_1955,
author = {Carlberg M and Hardell L.},
title = {Pooled analysis of Swedish case-control studies during 1997 2003 and 2007-2009 on meningioma risk associated with the use of mobile and cordless phones.},
year = {2015},
url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25963528/},
}