ID Number		2391
Study Type		Epidemiology
Model		Investigation of the association between a recently installed base station and cancer in the local community.
Details		AUTHORS' ABSTRACT: Stewart et al. 2012 (IEEE #5648): AIMS: Residents of one street expressed concern about the number of incident cancers, following the installation of a nearby mobile phone base station. The investigation explored whether the base station could be responsible for the cancers. METHODS: Data were collected from residents' medical records. GPs and oncologists provided further information. RESULTS: Ward-level cancer incidence and mortality data were also obtained, over four three-year time periods. A total of 19 residents had developed cancer. The collection of cancers did not fulfil the criteria for a cancer cluster. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for all malignant neoplasms (excluding non-melanoma skin cancers) in females (1.38 (95% CI, 1.08-1.74)) and all persons (1.27 (CI, 1.06-1.51)) were significantly higher than in the West Midlands during 2001-3. There were no significant differences for colorectal, female breast and prostate cancers, for any time period. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) for non-melanoma skin cancers in males and all persons was significantly lower than in the West Midlands during 1999-2001, and significantly lower in males, females and all persons during 2002-4. CONCLUSIONS: We cannot conclude that the base station was responsible for the cancers. It is unlikely that information around a single base station can either demonstrate or exclude causality.
Findings		No Effects
Status		Completed With Publication
Principal Investigator		Staffordshire Univ, Stoke-On-Trent ST4 2DF, UK.
Funding Agency		?????
Country		UNITED KINGDOM
References		Stewart , A et al. Perspect Public Health., (2012) 132:299-304
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