Mobile phone use and trends in the incidence of cancers of the parotid and other salivary glands

Authors: Ken Karipidis, Rohan Mate, Masoumeh Sanagou, Chris Brzozek, David Urban, Mark Elwood

Year: 2021 May 18

Category: Cancer Epidemiology

Journal: Cancer Epidemiology

Institution: Cancer Epidemiol

DOI: 10.1016/j.canep.2021.101961

URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34020314/

Abstract

Overview

The study examines the incidence trends of parotid and other salivary gland cancers in Australia, focusing on the potential influence of increased mobile phone use over several decades.

Methods

Analysis utilized Poisson regression to estimate annual percentage changes (APC) in cancer incidence.
Data spanned from 1982 to 2016 and included different time frames marking shifts in mobile phone prevalence.

Findings

Stable incidence of parotid gland cancer noted for earlier periods, with a significant decrease in males and increase in females during 2006-2016.
Other salivary gland cancers showed stable incidence across all periods.

Conclusion

Despite stable or changing trends in cancer incidences, mobile phone use does not appear to be a directly contributing factor. However, an observed increase in female parotid gland cancer since 2006 suggests other gender-specific risk factors. The need for further research to understand these trends and their aetiologies is emphasized, offering potential public health interventions to mitigate risks.

Note: The implications regarding mobile phone risks should be approached with caution, acknowledging that further research might uncover links with health risks that are not yet fully understood or evident.

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