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Brain Tumor Rates Are Rising in the US: The Role of Cell Phone & Cordless Phone Use

Jun 9, 2024

Connection between cell phone use and rising brain tumor rates: Review data on increasing tumor incidences and tips to reduce cell phone radiation exposure.

Brain Tumor Rates Are Rising in the US: The Role of Cell Phone & Cordless Phone Use

Reposted from the website of Dr. Joel Moskowitz, Ph.D. Director Center for Family and Community Health School of Public Health University of California, Berkeley LINK

Numerous studies link cell phone use with the phone held up to head to increases in cancer with the tumor in the area most exposed to the cell phone. Medical organizations recommend reducing cell phone radiation exposure to reduce risk of health effects.

Dr. Moskowitz states that “Head and neck tumors associated with cell phone use have increased in the U.S. since 2000”

Since the year 2000, the U.S. has experienced significant increases in the age-adjusted incidence rates of four head and neck tumors associated with cell phone use, including meningioma, the most common non-malignant brain tumor, and cancers of the brain (i.e., glioblastoma) and the thyroid and salivary glands.

The increase in age-adjusted incidence rates for these four tumors may be attributable to the chronic effects of mobile phone use in addition to increased exposure to other risk factors as well as improvements in diagnostic screening and reporting.

Dr. Moskowitz post shares data on tumor incidence rates  from the National Cancer Institute’s SEER 22 Registry which covers 48% of the total U.S. population. The data were age-adjusted to the population in the year 2000 so observed differences over time are not affected by changes in the age composition of the population.

  • The age-adjusted incidence rate of nonmalignant meningioma of the brain and nervous system significantly increased overall in the U.S. by 73% from 2004
  • Although the overall age-adjusted incidence rate of glioblastoma in the U.S. has been relatively stable (3.10 per 100,000 in 2004 and 3.08 per 100,000 in 2021), the age-adjusted incidence rate significantly increased overall by 0.25% per year from 2000 to 2018 followed by a nonsignificant decrease of 1.72% per year from 2018 to 2021. Significant increases occurred from 2000 to 2021 in three age groups—0.87% per year for young adults 15 to 39 years of age, 0.23% per year for adults 65 to 74 years of age, and 0.46% per year for adults 75 and older. However, the 40 to 64 year age group experienced a significant decrease of 0.25% per year during this time period.
  • The age-adjusted incidence rate of thyroid cancer significantly increased overall in the U.S. by 79% from 2000 (7.59 per 100,000) to 2021 (13.57 per 100,000). The rate significantly increased from 2000 to 2009 by 7.16% per year and from 2009 to 2014 by 1.90% per year, and has decreased from 2014-2021 by 1.91% per year.
  • The age-adjusted incidence rate of salivary gland cancer significantly increased overall in the U.S. by 13% from 2000 (1.22 per 100,000) to 2021 (1.38 per 100,000). The rate significantly increased by 0.58% per year during this time period.

Dr. Moskowitz is author to the study “Cellular Phone Use and Risk of Tumors: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” whuch found cellular phone use with cumulative call time more than 1000 h statistically significantly increased the risk of tumors.”