Relationship between exposure to extremely low‑frequency electromagnetic fields and breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis

Authored By:

Zhao G, Lin X, Zhou M, Zhao J

Summary:

This meta-analysis investigated whether exposure to extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic fields is associated with breast cancer. The meta-analysis included results from sixteen case-control studies, published from 2000 to 2007. The authors reported that, for premenopausal women, the occurrence of breast cancer was related to ELF magnetic fields (odds ratio, OR, 1.25, 95% confidence interval, 95% CI, 1.05 – 1.49), but not for menopausal women (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.93-1.18). The authors conclude that exposure to ELF magnetic fields may be a risk factor for breast cancer when women are non-menopausal.

Link to:

Link to PubMed abstract

Published In:

Eur J Gynaecol Oncol 2014; 35 (3): 264 – 269

Commentary by ARPANSA:

The hypothesis that long-term exposure to relatively weak ELF magnetic fields could increase the risk of breast cancer is based on the assumption that magnetic field exposure suppresses nocturnal melatonin production and that melatonin is a protective factor against breast cancer, possibly by affecting the level of estrogen.

A previous meta-analysis of 23 case-control studies by Chen et al (2013) also found that exposure to ELF magnetic fields may be related to an increased risk of female breast cancer for premenopausal women (see July 2013 report).