8,700 Studies Reviewed. 87.0% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
All Topics

Cancer & Tumors

5 min read
Share:
Key Finding: 79% of 742 studies on cancer & tumors found biological effects from EMF exposure.

Of 742 studies examining cancer & tumors, 79% found measurable biological effects from EMF exposure.

Lowest Documented Effect

Research found effects on cancer & tumors at exposures as low as:

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in Context0.00002, 0.0002, 0.008Extreme Concern - 1,000 uW/m2FCC Limit - 10M uW/m2Effects observed in the No Concern rangeFCC limit is 500,000,000,000x higher than this level

Research Overview

  • -When nearly 60% of studies examining EMF exposure and cancer risk find evidence of effects, the scientific community is sending a clear signal that deserves your attention.
  • -Out of 226 peer-reviewed studies, 135 have documented associations between electromagnetic field exposure and various forms of cancer and tumor development.
  • -This isn't a handful of outlier studies or preliminary findings - this represents a substantial body of evidence spanning decades of research across multiple countries and research institutions.

When nearly 60% of studies examining EMF exposure and cancer risk find evidence of effects, the scientific community is sending a clear signal that deserves your attention. Out of 226 peer-reviewed studies, 135 have documented associations between electromagnetic field exposure and various forms of cancer and tumor development. This isn't a handful of outlier studies or preliminary findings - this represents a substantial body of evidence spanning decades of research across multiple countries and research institutions.

The evidence shows that reducing exposure duration and intensity can meaningful impact your cellular health, and that knowledge gives you the power to take practical steps that may reduce your long-term cancer risk.

The research presented in this section demonstrates significant evidence that extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposures can cause DNA damage and genetic alterations relevant to leukemia development.

Source: BioInitiative Working Group. BioInitiative Report: A Rationale for Biologically-based Public Exposure Standards for Electromagnetic Radiation. Edited by Cindy Sage and David O. Carpenter, BioInitiative, 2012, updated 2020. www.bioinitiative.org

Showing 742 studies

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found107 citations

Elliott P et al, (June 2010) Mobile phone base stations and early childhood cancers: case-control study, BMJ

Unknown authors · 2010

British researchers examined whether pregnant mothers living near cell phone towers had children with higher cancer rates. They compared 1,397 children diagnosed with cancer before age 5 to 5,588 healthy children, finding no difference in cancer risk based on proximity to cell towers. This large-scale study found no link between cell tower radiation during pregnancy and childhood cancers.

Electromagnetic fields and cancer: the cost of doing nothing

Unknown authors · 2010

This 2010 review by Dr. David Carpenter examined the cancer risks from electromagnetic fields, including power lines and wireless devices. The analysis found that current safety standards are inadequate to protect against cancer risks, with brain tumors appearing specifically on the side of the head where people use cell phones. The paper argues that delaying action will result in more cancer cases, especially among young people.

Commentary: Call me on my mobile phone...or better not?--a look at the INTERPHONE study results

Unknown authors · 2010

This 2010 commentary examines the landmark INTERPHONE study, a major international investigation into whether mobile phone use increases brain tumor risk. The commentary discusses the mixed findings from various studies on cell phone radiation and brain cancer, noting that despite concerns about electromagnetic radiation passing through the brain during calls, research had not yet shown clear evidence of increased cancer risk.

Association between number of cell phone contracts and brain tumor incidence in nineteen U.S. States

Unknown authors · 2010

Researchers analyzed brain tumor rates and cell phone subscription data across 19 U.S. states from 2000-2007. They found a strong correlation between higher cell phone usage and increased brain tumor incidence, even after accounting for population size, income, and age differences between states. The linear relationship remained statistically significant and independent of other factors.

Risks of carcinogenesis from electromagnetic radiation of mobile telephony devices

Unknown authors · 2010

This 2010 review analyzed epidemiological studies on long-term mobile phone use and cancer risk. The research found significant increases in brain tumors, parotid gland tumors, and other cancers among people using mobile phones for over 10 years, with risk increases ranging from 30% to 510%. The study also identified elevated cancer rates in populations living near cell phone base stations.

An international prospective cohort study of mobile phone users and health (Cosmos): Design considerations and enrolment

Unknown authors · 2010

The COSMOS study is tracking 250,000 mobile phone users across five European countries for 25+ years to investigate long-term health effects from radiofrequency radiation exposure. This prospective design collects both questionnaire data and objective usage records from network operators before diseases develop. The study represents the largest long-term investigation into whether extended mobile phone use increases cancer risk or causes other health problems.

Risk of brain tumors from wireless phone use

Unknown authors · 2010

This 2010 review paper examined early cell phone studies and more recent research on brain tumor risks from wireless phone use, including the major Interphone and Swedish studies. However, the paper was later retracted by the journal in 2013, meaning it was formally withdrawn due to concerns about its scientific validity or methodology.

The interphone study: Brain cancer and beyond

Unknown authors · 2010

This 2011 commentary critiques the massive Interphone Study on brain cancer and cell phone use, arguing its case-control design was fundamentally flawed. The author contends that relying on participants to recall their past phone usage created substantial inaccuracy, while low participation rates further compromised the findings. The commentary suggests the substantial funding would have been better spent on a large-scale cohort study tracking people over time.

Re-analysis of risk for glioma in relation to mobile telephone use: comparison with the results of the Interphone international case-control study

Unknown authors · 2010

This 2010 study re-examined data from the major Interphone study to reassess brain tumor (glioma) risks from mobile phone use. The re-analysis found increased glioma risk associated with cell phone use, contrasting with the original Interphone conclusions that downplayed health risks. This demonstrates how different analytical approaches can reveal health effects that industry-influenced studies may obscure.

DNA & Genetic DamageNo Effects Found

Effect of mobile phone station on micronucleus frequency and chromosomal aberrations in human blood cells.

Yildirim MS, Yildirim A, Zamani AG, Okudan N. · 2010

Researchers examined blood samples from people living near cell phone towers to look for genetic damage markers (micronucleus frequency and chromosomal aberrations) that could indicate cancer risk. They found no statistically significant differences between people living near towers and control groups. The study concluded that cell phone base stations do not produce important cancer-causing genetic changes.

Cellular EffectsNo Effects Found

Two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis of radio-frequency radiation-exposed MCF7 breast cancer cells.

Kim KB et al. · 2010

Researchers exposed breast cancer cells (MCF7) to cell phone radiation at 849 MHz for one hour daily over three days, then analyzed whether the radiation changed protein production in the cells. They found no significant or consistent changes in protein expression at either exposure level tested (2 or 10 W/kg SAR). This suggests that radiofrequency radiation at these levels does not alter how cells make proteins, which is important because protein changes can indicate cellular stress or damage.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found648 citations

Brain tumour risk in relation to mobile telephone use: results of the INTERPHONE international case-control study.

The INTERPHONE Study Group. · 2010

Researchers studied brain tumor risk in over 5,000 people across 13 countries, comparing mobile phone users to non-users. They found no overall increased risk of brain tumors from mobile phone use, but did see a 40% higher risk of glioma (a type of brain cancer) in the heaviest users who reported over 1,640 hours of cumulative call time. However, the researchers noted that recall bias and other methodological issues prevent drawing firm conclusions about causation.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found107 citations

Brain cancer incidence trends in relation to cellular telephone use in the United States.

Inskip PD, Hoover RN, Devesa SS. · 2010

Researchers analyzed 15 years of brain cancer data from the SEER cancer registry (1992-2006) to see if rising cell phone use correlated with increased brain tumors. They found no overall increase in brain cancer rates during this period of explosive cell phone adoption, and importantly, no increases in the specific brain regions (temporal and parietal lobes) that would receive the highest radiation exposure from phones held to the ear. The one exception was frontal lobe cancers in young women, but this increase began before widespread cell phone use and occurred in brain areas with lower phone radiation exposure.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found107 citations

Mobile phone base stations and early childhood cancers: case-control study.

Elliott P et al. · 2010

British researchers examined whether children whose mothers lived near cell phone towers during pregnancy had higher rates of cancer. They compared 1,397 children with cancer to 5,588 healthy children, analyzing the distance from their birth address to nearby cell towers and the radiofrequency exposure levels. The study found no increased cancer risk associated with proximity to cell towers or higher exposure levels during pregnancy.

The controversy about a possible relationship between mobile phone use and cancer.

Kundi M. · 2010

Researchers analyzed 33 studies examining whether mobile phone use increases cancer risk, with most focusing on brain tumors. They found that current epidemiological studies cannot properly detect cancer risks because researchers lack proper exposure measurements, most users haven't used phones long enough to develop cancer, and scientists don't know which specific cancers to look for. Despite these limitations, the overall evidence suggests mobile phone use may increase cancer risk, though the exact magnitude remains unclear.

Epidemiological evidence for a health risk from mobile phone base stations.

Khurana VG et al. · 2010

Researchers analyzed 10 studies examining health effects in people living near cell phone towers (base stations). They found that 8 out of 10 studies reported increased rates of neurological symptoms or cancer in populations living within 500 meters (about 1,600 feet) of these towers. Importantly, all exposures were below current safety guidelines, suggesting these standards may not adequately protect public health.

Mobile phone use and the risk for malignant brain tumors: A case-control study on deceased cases and controls.

Hardell L, Carlberg M, Hansson Mild K. · 2010

Swedish researchers studied 346 people who died from malignant brain tumors and found those who used mobile phones for more than 10 years had 2.4 times higher risk of developing these deadly brain cancers. The risk climbed even higher for people with over 2,000 hours of lifetime mobile phone use, reaching 3.4 times normal risk. This study is particularly significant because it examined deceased cases, eliminating the possibility that living brain tumor patients might wrongly blame their phones for their illness.

A case-control study of risk of leukaemia in relation to mobile phone use.

Cooke R, Laing S, Swerdlow AJ. · 2010

Researchers studied 806 leukemia patients and 585 healthy controls in England to examine whether mobile phone use increases leukemia risk. They found no overall increased risk of leukemia among regular mobile phone users, though people who first used phones 15 or more years ago showed a nearly doubled risk that wasn't quite statistically significant. This suggests mobile phones don't cause leukemia in most users, but very long-term effects remain uncertain.

Occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields and sex-differential risk of uveal melanoma.

Behrens T et al. · 2010

European researchers studied 293 people with uveal melanoma (a rare eye cancer) and 3,198 controls to examine whether workplace electromagnetic field exposure increases cancer risk. They found that women exposed to high-voltage electrical installations had nearly 6 times higher risk of developing this eye cancer, with the strongest effects seen in women with dark eyes. The study suggests that certain occupational EMF exposures may significantly increase eye cancer risk, particularly for women in electrical work environments.

Effects of 50-Hz magnetic field exposure on superoxide radical anion formation and HSP70 induction in human K562 cells.

Mannerling AC, Simkó M, Mild KH, Mattsson MO · 2010

Researchers exposed human blood cells to 50-Hz magnetic fields at household appliance levels for one hour. The exposure doubled stress protein production and increased harmful oxygen radicals by 30-40%, indicating cellular damage at magnetic field strengths commonly found near home electronics.

Cancer & Tumors294 citations

(2009) Cell phones and brain tumors: a review including long-term epidemiologic data

Khurana et al · 2009

Researchers analyzed all 11 long-term studies examining brain tumor risk in people who used cell phones for 10+ years. They found that decade-plus cell phone use approximately doubles the risk of developing brain tumors on the same side of the head where the phone is typically held. The increased risk was statistically significant for gliomas and acoustic neuromas.

Bioelectromagnetics

Unknown authors · 2009

This 2009 overview from the International School of Bioelectromagnetics examined the current state of EMF epidemiology research, focusing on mobile phone brain tumor studies and power line childhood leukemia research. The analysis found that while some health concerns exist, the scientific evidence isn't strong enough to change current safety limits, though precautionary measures may be warranted. The researchers emphasized that better study designs and exposure assessments are needed to reach definitive conclusions.

Learn More

For a comprehensive exploration of EMF health effects including cancer & tumors, along with practical protection strategies, explore these books by R Blank and Dr. Martin Blank.

FAQs: EMF & Cancer & Tumors

When nearly 60% of studies examining EMF exposure and cancer risk find evidence of effects, the scientific community is sending a clear signal that deserves your attention. Out of 226 peer-reviewed studies, 135 have documented associations between electromagnetic field exposure and various forms of cancer and tumor development.
The SYB Research Database includes 742 peer-reviewed studies examining the relationship between electromagnetic field exposure and cancer & tumors. These studies have been conducted by researchers worldwide and published in scientific journals. The research spans multiple decades and includes various types of EMF sources including cell phones, WiFi, power lines, and other common sources of electromagnetic radiation.
79% of the 742 studies examining cancer & tumors found measurable biological effects from EMF exposure. This means that 587 studies documented observable changes in biological systems when exposed to electromagnetic fields. The remaining 21% either found no significant effects or had inconclusive results, which is typical in scientific research where study design and exposure parameters vary.