8,700 Studies Reviewed. 87.0% Found Biological Effects. The Evidence is Clear.
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Cancer & Tumors

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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 Found

Lack of effect of 94 GHz radio frequency radiation exposure in an animal model of skin carcinogenesis.

Mason PA et al. · 2001

Researchers exposed mice to 94 GHz millimeter wave radiation (the same frequency range used in some 5G networks) to see if it would promote skin cancer development. Even at very high power levels - 1000 times stronger than typical exposure limits - the radiation showed no effect on tumor formation or growth. This suggests that millimeter wave radiation at these frequencies does not act as a cancer promoter in skin tissue.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Cellular Telephones and Cancer-a Nationwide Cohort Study in Denmark.

Johansen C, Boice JD, McLaughlin JK, Olsen JH, · 2001

Danish researchers tracked over 420,000 cellular phone users from 1982 to 1995 and compared their cancer rates to the general population. They found cell phone users actually had lower overall cancer rates than expected, with no increased risk for brain tumors, salivary gland cancers, or leukemia. The study found no connection between phone use duration and cancer risk.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Repeated exposure of C3H/HeJ mice to ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulses: Lack of effects on mammary tumors.

Jauchem JR, Frei MR, Dusch SJ, Lehnert HM, Kovatch RM · 2001

Researchers exposed 100 cancer-prone mice to ultra-wideband electromagnetic pulses (extremely short bursts containing multiple frequencies) for 2 minutes weekly over 12 weeks, using field strengths of 40,000 volts per meter. The exposed mice showed no difference in mammary tumor development, growth rates, or survival compared to unexposed control mice. This study found no evidence that this type of pulsed electromagnetic exposure promotes cancer development in a well-established animal cancer model.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found516 citations

Cellular-telephone use and brain tumors.

Inskip PD et al. · 2001

Researchers examined 782 brain tumor patients and 799 controls to see if cell phone use increases brain tumor risk. They found no increased risk of glioma, meningioma, or acoustic neuroma among people who used cell phones for more than 100 hours or regularly for five or more years. However, the study period (1994-1998) means it couldn't assess risks from long-term heavy use or tumors that take decades to develop.

Cellular EffectsNo Effects Found

Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields do not alter the cell cycle progression of C3H 10T and U87MG cells.

Higashikubo R et al. · 2001

Researchers exposed mouse and human cells to radiofrequency radiation at frequencies used by cell phones (835-847 MHz) for up to 100 hours to see if it affected how cells divide and grow. They found no changes in cell division patterns compared to unexposed cells. This suggests that RF radiation at these power levels doesn't disrupt normal cellular reproduction processes.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Effects of mobile phone radiation on x-ray-induced tumorigenesis in mice.

Heikkinen P et al. · 2001

Finnish researchers exposed mice to both X-rays (to initiate cancer) and mobile phone radiation for 78 weeks to see if RF radiation would promote tumor growth. The study tested two types of phone signals - continuous NMT at 1.5 W/kg SAR and pulsed GSM at 0.35 W/kg SAR. Neither type of mobile phone radiation increased cancer rates compared to control groups, suggesting RF radiation does not act as a tumor promoter in this animal model.

Cancer & Tumors147 citations

The possible role of radiofrequency radiation in the development of uveal melanoma.

Stang A et al. · 2001

German researchers studied 118 people with uveal melanoma (a rare eye cancer) and 475 healthy controls to examine whether radiofrequency radiation exposure increases cancer risk. They found that people with probable mobile phone exposure had over 4 times higher odds of developing this eye cancer, while exposure to radio equipment tripled the risk. This was the first study to link radiofrequency radiation to this specific type of eye tumor.

Cancer & Tumors163 citations

Ionizing radiation, cellular telephones and the risk of brain tumours.

Hardell L, Hansson Mild K, Pahlson A, Hallquist A · 2001

Swedish researchers studied 233 brain tumor patients and 425 healthy controls to examine various risk factors for brain tumors, including cell phone use. They found that people who used cell phones on the same side of their head where tumors developed had a 2.42 times higher risk of developing brain tumors in the areas closest to where phones emit radiation. The study also identified increased risks from occupational radiation exposure and certain chemical industry jobs.

Cancer & Tumors107 citations

Environmental risk factors for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a population-based case-control study in Languedoc-Roussillon, France.

Fabbro-Peray P, Daures JP, Rossi JF. · 2001

French researchers studied 445 people with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (a blood cancer) and 1,025 healthy controls to identify environmental risk factors. They found that working as a radio operator increased lymphoma risk by 210% compared to other occupations, alongside other factors like chemical exposure and welding. This suggests that occupational electromagnetic radiation exposure may contribute to this serious blood cancer.

Effect of low-energy and high-peak-power nanosecond pulses of microwave radiation on malignant tumors.

Devyatkov ND, Pletnyov SD, Betskii OV, Faikin VV · 2001

Russian researchers investigated whether pulsed microwave radiation could slow the growth of cancer tumors in laboratory experiments. They found that specific types of low-energy, high-peak-power nanosecond microwave pulses had an inhibitory effect on malignant tumor growth. The researchers concluded these microwave pulses could potentially serve as a treatment approach for cancer.

Effect of centimeter microwaves and the combined magnetic field on the tumor necrosis factor production in cells of mice with experimental tumors

Novoselova EG, Ogai VB, Sorokina OV, Novikov VV, Fesenko EE · 2001

Researchers exposed tumor-bearing mice to extremely low-level microwaves (1 microW/cm2) combined with weak magnetic fields for 1.5 hours daily over 7 days. They found that this dual exposure increased production of tumor necrosis factor, a protein that helps the immune system fight cancer cells. The results suggest that certain EMF exposures might actually enhance the body's natural tumor-fighting response.

Cancer & Tumors342 citations

J Occup Environ Med 42(10):993-1005, 2000

Unknown authors · 2000

This comprehensive 2000 review examined decades of epidemiologic studies on radiofrequency radiation effects from occupational exposure, radio/TV transmitters, and early mobile phones. The researchers found no consistent evidence of health effects, but noted too many study limitations to rule out potential risks. The review highlighted critical gaps in exposure assessment and called for better research methods.

Exposure to 60-Hz magnetic fields and proliferation of human astrocytoma cells in vitro

Unknown authors · 2000

University of Washington researchers exposed human brain tumor cells (astrocytomas) to 60-Hz magnetic fields at household appliance levels (0.3-1.2 gauss) for up to 72 hours. The magnetic fields caused these cancer cells to multiply faster in a dose-dependent manner, while having no effect on normal brain cells. This provides a potential biological mechanism for epidemiological studies linking magnetic field exposure to increased brain tumor risk.

Effects of 50- or 60-hertz, 100 microT magnetic field exposure in the DMBA mammary cancer model in Sprague-Dawley rats: possible explanations for different results from two laboratories

Unknown authors · 2000

German researchers found that 50 Hz magnetic fields at 100 microtesla significantly increased mammary tumor development in rats treated with a cancer-causing chemical. However, when U.S. researchers tried to replicate the study using similar methods, they could not reproduce these findings, highlighting challenges in EMF research reproducibility.

Occupational and residential magnetic field exposure and breast cancer in females

Unknown authors · 2000

Swedish researchers studied women living near power lines to examine whether magnetic field exposure from both power lines and workplace sources increases breast cancer risk. They found elevated breast cancer risk in younger women (under 50) exposed to occupational magnetic fields above 0.25 microTesla, with the highest risk in those with estrogen-positive tumors. The study suggests magnetic field exposure may particularly affect hormone-sensitive breast cancers in premenopausal women.

Exposure to 60-Hz magnetic fields and proliferation of human astrocytoma cells in vitro

Unknown authors · 2000

Researchers exposed human brain tumor cells (astrocytomas) to 60-Hz magnetic fields at household appliance levels and found the fields significantly increased tumor cell growth. The magnetic fields also amplified the growth-promoting effects of other chemical signals, suggesting a mechanism by which power line frequencies might contribute to brain tumor development.

Do confounding or selection factors of residential wiring codes and magnetic fields distort findings of electromagnetic fields studies?

Unknown authors · 2000

National Cancer Institute researchers examined whether study design flaws might explain inconsistent findings in EMF-childhood leukemia research. They found that excluding participants who didn't allow full home access increased the apparent cancer risk by 23%, suggesting selection bias may distort EMF study results. This highlights a critical methodological problem that could affect the reliability of EMF health research.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Expression of cancer-related genes in human cells exposed to 60 Hz magnetic fields

Unknown authors · 2000

Researchers exposed human breast and blood cancer cells to 60 Hz magnetic fields (the same frequency as power lines) for 24 hours to see if EMF could alter cancer-related genes. While some genes showed changes, no consistent pattern emerged across repeated experiments, and the study found no reliable evidence that power line frequency magnetic fields affect genes involved in cancer development.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Leukemia and lymphoma incidence in rodents exposed to low-frequency magnetic fields

Unknown authors · 2000

This comprehensive review examined multiple animal studies testing whether low-frequency magnetic fields (50-60 Hz) cause leukemia and lymphoma in rodents. Studies involving over 3,000 mice and rats exposed to magnetic fields up to 5,000 times stronger than typical home levels found no increased cancer rates. The consistently negative results challenge epidemiological studies suggesting a link between power line EMF and childhood leukemia.

Effects of 50- or 60-hertz, 100 microT magnetic field exposure in the DMBA mammary cancer model in Sprague-Dawley rats: possible explanations for different results from two laboratories

Unknown authors · 2000

German researchers found that 50 Hz magnetic fields at 100 microtesla significantly increased mammary tumor development in rats treated with a cancer-causing chemical. However, when U.S. researchers tried to replicate the study using similar methods, they couldn't reproduce these results. The researchers identified multiple differences between the studies that might explain why results varied.

Cancer & Tumors919 citations

A pooled analysis of magnetic fields and childhood leukaemia

Unknown authors · 2000

Researchers combined data from nine studies involving over 13,000 children to examine the link between power line magnetic fields and childhood leukemia. They found that 99.2% of children living in homes with low magnetic field exposure (below 0.4 microTesla) showed no increased cancer risk, but the small group exposed to higher levels had double the leukemia risk. This represents the largest analysis of its kind and confirms earlier concerns about high-level residential magnetic field exposure.

Case-cohort analysis of brain cancer and leukemia in electric utility workers using a refined magnetic field job- exposure matrix

Unknown authors · 2000

Researchers analyzed 164 electric utility workers who died from leukemia and 145 who died from brain cancer, comparing their workplace magnetic field exposure to 800 randomly selected workers. The study found no link between magnetic fields and leukemia deaths, but workers with the highest magnetic field exposure showed 2.5 times higher risk of brain cancer death.

Cancer & Tumors523 citations

A pooled analysis of magnetic fields, wire codes, and childhood leukemia. Childhood Leukemia-EMF Study Group

Unknown authors · 2000

This major pooled analysis combined data from 15 studies examining magnetic field exposure and childhood leukemia risk. Researchers found children exposed to magnetic fields above 0.3 microtesla had a 70% increased risk of leukemia compared to those with minimal exposure. The analysis suggests magnetic field exposure may account for about 3% of childhood leukemia cases in the U.S.

Cancer & TumorsNo Effects Found

Handheld cellular telephone use and risk of brain cancer, JAMA. 2000 Dec 20;284(23):3001-7

Unknown authors · 2000

Researchers used computer modeling to calculate electric field strength inside a human head exposed to 4G mobile phone radiation at 2600 MHz. The study found that the strongest electric fields occur in the outermost layers of the head, closest to the phone. This modeling work helps scientists understand how deeply cell phone radiation penetrates into brain tissue.

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.