Use of Wireless Communication Devices and the Risk of Brain Cancer

[feline]

The FDA received numerous media inquires about a recently published paper (Pooled analysis of two case–control studies on use of cellular and cordless telephones and the risk for malignant brain tumors diagnosed in 1997–2003by Hardell et al.) reporting increased risk of malignant brain tumor associated with long term use ( >10 years) of cell phones and cordless phones. This is not a new study but is an analysis of two studies previously published in 2003 and 2005. Both studies were population based case control studies. Cases were recruited based on histopathological diagnoses submitted to regional cancer registries in Uppsala/Örebro and Linköping regions of Sweden. Control subjects were taken from a population registry covering the whole population in Sweden.

Several studies have been recently published on the risk of long term cell phone use (> 10 years) and brain cancer1. The results reported by Hardell et al. are not in agreement with results obtained in other long term studies. Also, the use of mailed questionnaire for exposure assessment and lack of adjustments for possible confounding factors makes the Hardell et al. study design significantly different from other studies. These facts along with the lack of an established mechanism of action and absence of supporting animal data make it difficult to interpret Hardell et al. findings.
The FDA continues to monitor studies looking at possible health effects resulting from exposure to radio frequency energy. In 1999, FDA signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Cellular Telecommunication & Internet Association (CTIA)2. As called for by this CRADA , FDA plans to convene a meeting in the near future to evaluate all completed, ongoing and planned research looking at health effects associated with the use of wireless communication devices and identify knowledge gaps that may warrant additional research.


Source:
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/wireless/braincancer040606.html

[parrotbay]

Aren't the waves emitted from cell phones a lot less than those from microwaves. I have had a microwave for twenty years and don't have brain cancer. I think that since there is radiation involved there is a chance. However, there's a chance of getting cancer from drinking coke too.