Epidemiological Study (cohort study)

Cellular telephones and cancer--a nationwide cohort study in Denmark. epidemiol.

PubMed Entry

Journal web site

Aim of study (according to author)
A nationwide retrospective cohort study of cancer incidence was conducted in Denmark of all cellular telephone subscribers from 1982 through 1995.
Background/further details:
Cellular telephone users were identified from subscriber lists of two Danish operating companies. The cancer incidence among the users was determined by linkage with the Danish Cancer Registry.

Endpoints/type of risk estimation

• leukemia and lymphoma
• brain tumor
• salivary gland cancer and other cancers

Exposure

• mobile communication system, analog mobile phone, digital mobile phone, GSM, NMT, personal exposure
• type of exposure: personal
• assessment by list (cellular telephone subscribers of two Danish operating companies including type of phone (analog or digital), date of subscription)

Population
Study group: men and women, aged over 18 years
Group characteristics: cellular telephone subscribers
Observation period: January 1982 - December 1995
Study location: Denmark
Source of data: Danish Cancer Registry
Exclusion criteria: corporate customers

Study size	cohort
number total	723,421
number eligible	420,095

Statistical analysis using Miettinen exaxt method

Results/conclusion (according to author)
The results showed no increased risk for all cancers, brain tumors, leukemia, or tumors of the salivary glands, the sites of a priori interest. No association between cancer incidence and cellular phone subscription was found with the latency, age at first subscription, analog or digital cellular phones use, and duration of subscription.

Limitations (according to author): No conclusions can be drawn for long-term users, since only 5.1% of the cohort members had a cellular phone subscription for more than 5 years.

(Study character: epidemiological study, cohort study)

Study funded by

• Danish Cancer Society
• International Epidemiology Institute, Maryland, USA
• Sonofon, Denmark
• TeleDanmark Mobil (TDC Mobil), Denmark

• by  Hardell L, Hansson Mild K
• by  Hardell L
• by  Hocking B
• by  Godward S, Sandhu M, Skinner J, McCann J
• by  Inskip PD
• by  Söderqvist F, Carlberg M, Hardell L

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