Mobile phone use and risks of overall and 25 site-specific cancers: a prospective study from the UK Biobank Study

Authors: Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Ye Z, Yang S, Liu M, Wu Q, Zhou C, He P, Gan X, Qin X

Year: 2023

Category: Cancer Epidemiology

Journal: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev

Institution: UK Biobank

DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-23-0766

URL: https://aacrjournals.org/cebp/article/doi/10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-23-0766/729762/Mobile-phone-use-and-risks-of-overall-and-25-site

Abstract

Overview

The association between mobile phone use and incident cancers continues to be explored, with a focus on overall and site-specific cancers among men and women.

Methods

  • A cohort of 431,861 participants aged between 38 and 73 years, without prior cancers, was sourced from the UK Biobank.
  • Mobile phone users were defined as individuals who used mobile phones at least once per week to make or receive calls.

Findings

During a median follow-up of 10.7 years, a significant number of participants developed cancers:

  • Incident overall cancer was reported in 17.5% of men and 13.4% of women.
  • Specific increased risks were observed in nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and urinary tract cancer in men, and NMSC and vulva cancer in women.
  • A dose-response relationship was noted based on the length of mobile phone use, particularly with prostate cancer in men and NMSC in both genders.

Conclusion

The findings emphasize the significant associations and potential risks of mobile phone use with specific cancers, such as NMSC and prostate cancer. The study highlights the need for more research into these area and potential safety precautions for mobile phone use.

mobile phone use cancer risks epidemiology nonmelanoma skin cancer prostate cancer electromagnetic fields public health
← Back to Stats