Genetic susceptibility may modify the association between cell phone use and thyroid cancer: A population-based case-control study in Connecticut
Environmental Research 2019
A new study funded by the American Cancer Society by Yale researchers published in Environmental Research found a statistically significant increase in thyroid cancer among people with specific genetic markers and with longer use of the cell phone.
“Our study provides evidence that genetic susceptibility influences the relationship between cell phone use and thyroid cancer,” said Yawei Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the Yale School of Public Health. “More studies are needed to identify populations who are susceptible to radiofrequency radiation (RFR) and understand exposure to RFR by different using patterns of cell phones.”
The study, entitled “Genetic susceptibility may modify the association between cell phone use and thyroid cancer: A population-based case-control study in Connecticut” found:
- When some genetic variants were present, cell phone use was significantly associated with thyroid cancer.
- The association increased when cell phone use duration and frequency increased.
- Genetic susceptibility may modify the association between cell phone use and thyroid cancer.
The study considered 823 SNPs in 176 genes and pinpointed that 10 variations increased the risk of thyroid cancer among mobile phone users. The risk of cancer was more than doubled among users with SNPs occurring in 4 of the genes examined.
Yale School of Medicine coverage Thyroid Cancer, Genetic Variations, and Cell Phones Linked in New Yale School of Public Health Study
The study is open access online
Jiajun Luo et al. Genetic susceptibility may modify the association between cell phone use and thyroid cancer: A population-based case-control study in Connecticut, Environmental Research (2019).
Previous Research
A 2019 review found the reduction in diameter of thyroid follicles is potentially linked with cell phone radiation and exposure may negatively influence the iodine uptake in the thyroid gland.
A 2016 study by Hardell and Carlberg found the incidence of thyroid cancer is increasing in Nordic countries, especially the papillary type that is the most radiosensitive type. “This study has shown an increasing incidence of thyroid cancer in Sweden and the Nordic countries. Better diagnostic imaging cannot solely account for the increase. Increased use of CT and PET-CT for medical examinations has elevated the population’s exposure to the ionizing radiation and should be considered as a risk factor.”
Hilly et al (2013) demonstrated abnormalities in thyrocytes with just 3 hours of exposure to cell phone radiation frequencies. In addition, studies have shown an association of altered thyroid function with increased cell phone use (Asl 2019) and (Baby 2017) and (Sinha 2008).
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that 53,990 new cases of thyroid cancer will be diagnosed in 2018 making this the 12th most common cancer in the U.S.
The CDC issued a 2019 report finding thyroid cancer drastically increasing in youth under 20 in the USA.
A 2017 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found the overall incidence of thyroid cancer increasing by 3% annually, with increases in the incidence rate and thyroid cancer mortality rate for advanced-stage papillary thyroid cancer. The researchers conclude that these increases are consistent with a true increase in the occurrence of thyroid cancer in the United States.The American Thyroid Association in 2017 discussed the worldwide increase in thyroid cancer . They state, “The incidence of thyroid cancer has increased dramatically during the past three decades and it is now the fastest growing cancer in women. Almost all of this increase is in papillary thyroid cancer.
The CDC finds increasing rates of thyroid cancer among individuals under 20 years old in the USA.
In 2019, the CDC presented new findings of increasing rates of brain cancer, renal cancer, hepatic (liver) cancer, and thyroid cancer among individuals under 20 years old in the USA after analyzing 2001–2014 US National Cancer statistics tumor data from 48 states (covering 98% of the US population).
These findings of increased nervous system cancer rates were presented at the 2018 American Society of Pediatric Hematology Oncology Conference in May, 2018 and also at the 67th Annual Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Conference April 16–19, 2018.
