Researchers Report Alarming Rise in Brain Cancer in Scandinavian Countries

Environmental Health Trust Reports Continued and Unexplained Increases in Brain Cancer Incidence in Nations With Longer-Term Cell Phone Use

New cases of brain tumors have continued to rise throughout the past three decades in some Scandinavian countries with longer-term and heavier cell phone use, according to analyses conducted by Environmental Health Trust scientists.  The analyses are based on data provided by the national cancer registries of Finland and Norway to the International Agency for Research on Cancer.  Death rates have dropped, reflecting improvements in treatment and early detection, but incidence has increased over the past decade for both men and women.  In Norway, brain tumor incidence rose in men and women about 1.7 and 2.8 percent each year for the past decade, with women who use cell phones more having higher rates than men.  Similar but smaller increases were evident in Norway.  

No increases were noted in Sweden, where analysts from the Swedish National Health Board have reported that brain tumors are systematically underreported.  

“The possible contribution of cell phone use to these underlying trends cannot be determined, but should be seriously investigated,” said Devra Davis, PhD, MPH, President of Environmental Health Trust and Fellow of the American College of Epidemiology.  “We need a major research program on this issue in light of growing experimental evidence indicating that low levels of cell phone radiation can disturb exquisitely sensitive cellular function.”

“The need for careful and complete surveillance of populations for possible changes in brain tumor incidence is clear, as is the need to expand research and training in this area,” added Ronald B. Herberman, MD, oncologist and chairman of EHT’s Board.  “Based on the laboratory and epidemiological evidence to date, the grounds for taking precautionary actions to reduce direct exposure to the brain and body from cell phone radiation are stronger than ever.”

Earlier analyses from Australia by renowned neurosurgeon Vini Kharuna also found unexplained increases in malignant gliomas—a tumor linked to long-term cellphone use in several studies. Charts on the studies can be found on www.saferphonezone.com.

About Environmental Health Trust

Environmental Health Trust (EHT) educates individuals, health professionals and communities about controllable environmental health risks and policy changes needed to reduce those risks. Current multi-media projects include: local and national campaigns to ban smoking and asbestos; working with international physician and worker safety groups to warn about the risks of inappropriate use of diagnostic radiation and cell phones, promoting research and awareness of environmental causes of breast cancer, and building environmental wellness programs in Wyoming and Pennsylvania to address the environmental impacts of energy development, the built environment and radon. EHT was created with the goal of promoting health and preventing disease one person, one community and one nation at a time. Capitalizing on growing public interest in Dr. Devra Lee Davis’s three popular books, When Smoke Ran Like Water, a National Book Award Finalist, The Secret History of the War on Cancer, and Disconnect--The Truth about Cell Phone Radiation, What Industry Has Done to Hide It and How to Protect Your Family, as well as recent documentary films, the foundation’s website offers clear, science-based information to prevent environmentally based disease and promote health, for the general public, children, and health professionals. For more information about getting involved in the numerous special projects spearheaded by the EHT, please log on to www.ehtrust.org.

Janet Vasquez, Director of Corporate Communications/ The Investor Relations Group/ 212-825-3210/ jvasquez@Investorrelationsgroup.com

Environmental Health Trust

www.saferphonezone.com

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