Radiofrequency radiation from mobile phones and the risk of breast cancer: A multicenter case-control study with an additional suspected comparison group.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The rapid global increase in mobile phone use has raised concerns about the potential long-term health effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. While most studies have focused on brain tumors, evidence regarding breast cancer remains limited. The objective of the study is to examine the association between mobile phone use and breast cancer risk among women in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this multicenter case-control study, 226 women were recruited from diagnostic, mammography, and radiotherapy centers across Iran and classified as controls (no history of breast cancer, = 97), suspected cases (advised to undergo mammography due to breast-related complaints or physician recommendation, = 52), and confirmed cases (histologically verified invasive breast cancer, = 77). Structured questionnaires collected demographic, reproductive, lifestyle, and environmental data, including mobile phone call duration, screen time, and phone placement. Associations were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression, adjusting sequentially for demographic, reproductive, environmental, and lifestyle variables. RESULTS: In fully adjusted models, women reporting more than 60 min of daily mobile phone conversations had higher odds of confirmed breast cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 3.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-11.97) and suspected status (OR = 10.84, 95% CI: 2.29-51.41) compared with those using phones <10 min daily. Longer screen time (>4 h/day), later age at menarche, lower education level, and exposure to environmental pollutants were also associated with increased odds. CONCLUSION: Prolonged mobile phone use was associated with higher odds of breast cancer, but this does not imply causation. Given self-reported exposures and potential residual confounding, findings should be interpreted cautiously. Larger prospective studies with objective exposure assessment are warranted.

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In fully adjusted multinomial logistic regression models, >60 min/day of mobile phone conversations was associated with higher odds of confirmed invasive breast cancer (OR 3.49, 95% CI 1.02–11.97) and suspected status (OR 10.84, 95% CI 2.29–51.41) compared with <10 min/day. Longer screen time (>4 h/day) was also associated with increased odds, alongside later age at menarche, lower education, and exposure to environmental pollutants.

Outcomes measured

• Breast cancer (histologically verified invasive breast cancer)
• Suspected breast cancer status (advised to undergo mammography due to complaints/physician recommendation)

Limitations

• Case-control design (association does not imply causation)
• Exposure assessment was self-reported (mobile phone use)
• Potential residual confounding (explicitly noted)
• Wide confidence intervals for some estimates (implied by reported CIs)

Suggested hubs

• mobile-phones-rf (0.9)
  Study evaluates mobile phone use (RF exposure proxy) and breast cancer risk.

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    "study_type": "case_control",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "Self-reported daily mobile phone conversation duration (>60 min/day vs <10 min/day); also screen time (>4 h/day) and phone placement (mentioned, not quantified in abstract)"
    },
    "population": "Women in Iran recruited from diagnostic, mammography, and radiotherapy centers",
    "sample_size": 226,
    "outcomes": [
        "Breast cancer (histologically verified invasive breast cancer)",
        "Suspected breast cancer status (advised to undergo mammography due to complaints/physician recommendation)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In fully adjusted multinomial logistic regression models, >60 min/day of mobile phone conversations was associated with higher odds of confirmed invasive breast cancer (OR 3.49, 95% CI 1.02–11.97) and suspected status (OR 10.84, 95% CI 2.29–51.41) compared with <10 min/day. Longer screen time (>4 h/day) was also associated with increased odds, alongside later age at menarche, lower education, and exposure to environmental pollutants.",
    "effect_direction": "harm",
    "limitations": [
        "Case-control design (association does not imply causation)",
        "Exposure assessment was self-reported (mobile phone use)",
        "Potential residual confounding (explicitly noted)",
        "Wide confidence intervals for some estimates (implied by reported CIs)"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7800000000000000266453525910037569701671600341796875,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "radiofrequency",
        "mobile phone",
        "breast cancer",
        "case-control",
        "Iran",
        "multicenter",
        "self-reported exposure",
        "call duration",
        "screen time",
        "multinomial logistic regression"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": [
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            "reason": "Study evaluates mobile phone use (RF exposure proxy) and breast cancer risk."
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}

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