Hardell Project 1
In May 2011, the WHO’s International Agency on Cancer Research classified radiofrequency radiation as ‘possibly carcinogenic’ for humans. With the results of his epidemiological studies Lennart Hardell decisively contributed to this decision. The studies completed up to now cover a radiation-dependent brain tumour risk of mobile phone users only up to 2005. As at that date mobile phones were in use for merely 10 years, our findings on tumours that normally develop over decades are still tainted with uncertainty.
In a new study Hardell wants to evaluate the data from Swedish women and men who were diagnosed with a tumour between 2007 and 2009 – that is nearly 15 years after the mobile communication technology has been introduced. Of special interest are the long-term effects (>10 years) of mobile and cordless phone radiation as well as the brain tumour risk in different age groups, separated in women and men. We can expect that his results very soon will prompt the Agency on Cancer Research to put radiofrequency radiation in the next higher category ‘probably carconogenic’. After all, the risk assessment becomes more and more reliable the longer the radiation exposure exists …
Lennart Hardell
is professor of oncology at the University Hospital in Örebro, Sweden. Most of his research has been on risk factors for cancer. Examples are the exposure to pesticides, herbicides, dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), brominated flame-retardants and other organic pollutants. During recent years he and his co-workers have studied use of mobile and cordless telephones and the risk for brain tumours.
Lennart Hardells Report / 2012-09-24
Use of wireless phones (mobile phones and cordless phones)
and the risk for brain tumours – a case-control study
The most comprehensive results on use of wireless phones and the increased risk for brain tumours come from the Hardell group in Sweden and the international Interphone study. Other studies are mostly too small with short time for use of mobile phones, usually in the range of at most 5 years, to be informative. Both the Hardell group studies and Interphone give results for use of 10 years or more. A summary evaluation based on these results shows that there is a consistent pattern of increased risk of brain tumours (glioma and acoustic neuroma) associated with use of mobile phones and cordless phones. Supportive evidence comes also from anatomical localisation of the tumour to the most exposed area of the brain, and the risk increasing with number of use in hours and years.
However, it is remarkable that the IARC (WHO) carcinogenic classification of microwave emissions from wireless phones as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) does not seem to have had any significant impact on governments’ perceptions of their responsibilities to protect public health from this widespread source of radiation, especially given the ease with which exposures can be reduced (i.e. texting, hands-free devices and better phone design).
Consequently more research is necessary on human health effects, especially regarding long-term health effects. Our current on-going study is such an example. It will give information on long-term use, more than 20 years of wireless phones use, and the risk fro brain tumours. There is currently no information available on such long-term health effects. It will also give information about risks in different age groups at first use of wireless phones which is of importance given the widespread use among children and adolescents. According to our previous studies, those under the age of 20 at first exposure to wireless phones have a higher risk for developing brain tumours compared to those who started at an older age.
We are most grateful for the € 18000,00 that we have received from the Pandora Foundation so far. This has made it possible for us to continue our research. We have by now checked and finished the database for statistical analysis. The study is large. It includes 1405 patients (response rate 88 %) and 1363 population based controls (response rate 85 %) for analysis. Of the 1405 cases 593 have a malignant and 814 a benign brain tumour. Most of the malignant brain tumours are of the glioma type. Meningioma dominates among the benign tumours. Most of the tumours are located in the areas of the brain most exposed to microwaves from wireless phones, 35 % in the frontal brain lobe and 29 % in the temporal brain lobe, in total 64 %. If the tumours that also grow into adjacent locations (mostly large tumours) are included the number is 78 %.
We expect to have the analyses regarding use of mobile and cordless phones finished this autumn or early next year and the results will be published in the middle of 2013 in case we get additional funding from Pandora Foundation. There are also numerous other risk factors for brain tumours that we study including a potential interaction between such risk factors and exposure to microwaves from wireless phones.
Thus, continuing support from Pandora Foundation is most important to finish this study. Of course it can not be completed in due time without financial support. We acknowledge the support that we have received so far and that has enabled considerable progress of the study.
With kind regards,
Lennart Hardell, MD, PhD
Professor
Hardell: Project description
The following grant application is also available as PDF [150 KB]
Background
Use of the wireless technology for communication has increased rapidly both in different occupations and during leisure time during the recent decade. This is especially the situation for use of both mobile phones and cordless phones (DECT). The development has been driven by technological achievements and potential health risks are not well investigated, especially the risk for brain tumours.
The present guideline of 2 W/kg (SAR) for exposure to microwaves from mobile phones is based on heating (thermal effect) by radiofrequency radiation in the range of 400-2100 MHz. A number of studies show, however, non-thermal effects (not due to heating) from microwave radiation, for example on the blood-brain barrier (Salford et al 2003, Töre et al 2001, Nittby 2008), changes of the protein configuration and heat shock protein (de Pomerai et al 2000, French et al 2000, Kwee et al 2001, Leszczynski et al 2002), and production of micronuclei in lymphocytes (Garaj-Vrhovac et al 1992, Zotti-Martelli et al 2000, Tice et al 2002). The experimental REFLEX-study showed biological effects from radiofrequency radiation of 0.3 W/kg, that is below current guideline of 2 W/kg (REFLEX 2004). A summary of non-thermal biological effects can be found in different publications (Belyaev 2005, Sage, Carpenter 2007, Hardell, Sage 2008). An increased glucose metabolism in parts of the brain (frontal and parietal lobes) exposed to radiofrequency radiation was recently published, and this could not be explained by a heating effect (Volkow et al 2001), as also discussed in an editorial (Lai, Hardell 2011).
The Nordic countries were among the first to start the use of mobile phones. The analogue phone (NMT 450) was introduced in 1981. First it was mostly used in cars with an external antenna but portable analogue phones were used since 1984. The NMT 450 system was closed down December 31, 2007. NMT 900 was used during 1986 to 2000. The digital system, GSM 900/1800 MHz was started in 1991 and is the most common mobile phone type in Sweden since late 1990’s. The third generation, 3G, of mobile phones operating in the range of 1900 to 2100 MHz was introduced in 2003 in Sweden. Now the forth generation, 4G, is available on the market.
Cordless desktop phones have been used in Sweden since 1988. First the analogue system using the frequency range 800-900 MHz was used. Since the beginning of the 1990’s the digital system, DECT phone, operating at 1900 MHz frequency is used. Exposure to radiofrequency radiation from a DECT phone is in the same order of magnitude as from the GSM mobile phone (Redmayne et al 2010).
In two large case-control studies, the largest from a single research unit, we have found a statistically significantly increased risk for glioma (malignant brain tumour) and acoustic neuroma (a tumour of the hearing nerve) for use of mobile phones and cordless phones (Hardell et al 2006a, 2006b). The risk was largest for long term use, more than 10 years. For acoustic neuroma an increased risk was also found for more short time use, recently also shown in a study from Japan (Sato et al 2011). Regarding meningioma, the most common benign brain tumour, we did not find an increased risk. We have also studied use of wireless phones and the risk for other tumours, such of the salivary gland, testicular cancer and lymphoma (non-Hodgkin lymphoma). We found
an association with the skin type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma but no clear associations with other tumour types. We have summarized results of all our studies previously (Hardell et al 2009).
We have performed more analyses of our study encompassing the time period 1997-2003, as well as regarding the incidence of brain tumours (Hardell, Carlberg 2009, Hardell et al 2011). The yearly age standardized incidence of astrocytoma increased during 2000-2007 among persons aged more than 19 years. This was seen in spite of the deficient reporting to the Swedish Cancer Registry (Barlow et al 2009). Of interest is that we saw the highest risk for astrocytoma and acoustic neuroma in persons who had used mobile phone or cordless desktop phone before the age of 20 years. In a separate study on patients who had died in glioma we found an increased risk for use of mobile phone (Hardell et al 2010a). As control subjects persons who had died in other diseases were used. Relatives were interviewed in both groups, that is exposure information was obtained in the same way for cases and controls in the study.
A number of studies have been used by WHO, the Interphone studies, and the results have been published for glioma and meningioma. Cumulative use of a mobile phone for 1640 hours or more yielded a statistically significant increased risk for glioma, odds ratio = 1.40, 95% confidence interval = 1.03-1.89. If the mobile phone had been used on the same side of the head as the tumour was located the risk increased further to 1.96, 95% confidence interval 1.22-3.16, that is exposure in the area of the brain with highest exposure to microwaves from the mobile phone. Furthermore, the risk was highest in the temporal lobe, which is the area of the brain closest to the mobile phone during calls. Interestingly when we reanalysed our data using the same criteria as used in the Interphone studies (same age group, use of DECT included among the ‘unexposed’, same groups of cumulative use and latency period). The results were thereby similar as in the Interphone publication (Hardell et al 2010b). The Interphone findings have been commented further by two of the authors, Cardis and Sadetzki (2011).
In our previous studies we did not find a consistent pattern of increased risk for meningioma. These results are similar as in the Interphone publication. We have reported a statistically significant increased risk for acoustic neuroma. These results have not yet been published from the Interphone group although the studies ended in 2004.
Work procedure
Cases: The study includes the whole Swedish country. The cases were diagnosed with a brain tumour between 2007 – 2009 (Gothenburg region 2008 – 2009). They were all alive and both benign and malignant brain tumours were included with the ICD (International Code of Diseases) code = 193.0. Both men and women aged 18 – 75 years were included. All new
cases that were reported to the Swedish Cancer Registry were notified to us. The responsible treating physician of the respective patient was contacted for permission to include the patient in the study.
Controls: One person was identified from the Swedish Population Registry and was used as a control subject to each case. They were matched on gender and age.
Exposure: All cases and controls received a questionnaire by post. If the questionnaire was not answered in detail a supplementary telephone interview was made by a trained interviewer. Questions were asked on use of mobile and cordless phones. The year for first use was assessed as well as average number of minutes of use in a day, the ear that had mostly been used (or equally much both ears), use in a car with external antenna, hands free use, number of mobile phones used over the years etc. Also other questions were asked on e.g. lifetime occupations, exposure to chemicals, ionizing radiation, x-rays, smoking habits etc.
All questionnaires received a unique id-number that did not show if it is a case or a control. Type of tumour is obtained from the cancer registry and histopathology reports. Copies of computer tomography (CT) or MRI of the brain are asked for each case in order to assign an anatomical localisation of the brain tumour.
Statistical analysis: Unconditional logistic regression analysis will be performed for calculation of the risk; odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. Adjustment will be made for age, gender, year of diagnosis and socioeconomic index. Use of mobile and/or cordless phone will be compared with no use. Special analysis will be performed for cumulative use over the whole time period, number of years for use and age at first use of a wireless phone. Different types of brain tumours such as glioma, acoustic neuroma and meningioma will be analysed separately. Also other exposures will be analysed. The size of the study gives 80 % probability to find a risk of 1.3 at the 95% significance level.
Gender: Both male and female cases are included in the study. Glioma is somewhat more common in men, whereas meningioma is more common in women. These differences will be analysed in more detail. In the German part of the Interphone studies use of mobile phones yielded a somewhat higher risk for glioma in women than in men (Schűz el al 2006). This will be further analysed.
Current status of the study
– reported from the Cancer Registry 2571 patients
– deceased before interview 551 patients
– excluded wrong diagnosis, no address 213 patients
– too ill to participate 67 patients
– no to include from treating physician 85 patients
– yes to include from treating physician 1655 patients
Posted questionnaire Cases Controls
– total: to cases 1655, to controls 1655
– returned: from cases 1459 (88%), from controls 1414 (85%)
– refusal to participate: 196 cases, 241 controls
All questionnaires from cases and controls that participate in the study have been returned. Also all supplementary phone interviews have been performed. The questionnaire consists of 11 pages. The first page includes the working history with type of work and years for the specific job. All occupations shall be coded according to the Nordic code for classification (NYK) and socioeconomic index for the different jobs.
Different exposures are assessed in groups of 32 questions. Each question is subdivided into other questions so that more than 100 will be coded for the statistical analysis. These questions include among other items use of computers, wireless communication (WLAN), work with exposure to electromagnetic fields, ionizing radiation, x-rays, solvents, herbicides, other agents, hereditary questions, living close to municipal incinerators, radio/TV masts, base stations, smoking habits etc. Special questions deal with use of mobile and/or cordless phones. All exposures shall be quantified with number of days for cumulative use, years for use, type of for example chemicals etc. Regarding wireless phones, the type of phone is coded as is total years of use, cumulative hours of use, ear mostly used for calls etc.
Copies of CT and MRI scans for all cases will be asked for from the different radiology departments in Sweden. Histopathology reports are obtained for all cases with unclear type of brain tumour. This is performed after permission from the patient.
Based on our previous studies this part of the study includes at average 20 minutes for coding and 10 minutes for registration in a database of each questionnaire. This part of the study involves in total about 1400 hours of work or 9 months in total.
Scrutinizing the data to correct any obvious typing errors follows this part. After that statistical analysis will be performed, in total 4 months of statistical work including quality work on the data base.
A number of publications are planned:
1. The risk for glioma and use of wireless phones.
2. The risk for meningioma and use of wireless phones.
3. The risk for acoustic neuroma and use of wireless phones.
4. The risk for glioma, occupation and other exposures.
5. The risk for meningioma, occupation and other exposures.
6. The risk for acoustic neuroma, occupation and other exposures.
7. Special aspects on use of mobile and cordless phones and the risk for brain tumours.
Significance of the study It is extremely important to furher study the risk for brain tumours associated with use of both mobile and cordless phones. This is a large study from one research group. It will give information on different types of brain tumours and long-term use of wireless phones and also the risk in different age groups. A number of other exposures are also studied including the potential interaction between exposure to radiofrequency radiation and other factors.
Budget for the remaining part of the study
– Research secretary 9 months, 3 790 Euro/month = 34 110 Euro
– Statistician 4 months, 4194 Euro/month = 16 776 Euro
Total = 50 886 Euro (including social fees)
References
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Cardis E and the Interphone Study Group. Brain tumour risk in relation to mobile telephone use: results of the INTERPHONE international case-control study. Int J Epidemiol. 2010;39(3):675-694.
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