Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields exposure and female breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis based on 24,338 cases and 60,628 controls.
Exposure to extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMF) has been suggested to increase female breast cancer risk; however, the data have been inconclusive. In order to derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. Medline, PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched. Crude ORs with 95% CIs were used to assess the strength of association between ELF-EMF exposure and female breast cancer risk. A total of 15 studies published over the period 2000 to 2009 including 24,338 cases and 60,628 controls were involved in this meta-analysis. The results showed no significant association between ELF-EMF exposure and female breast cancer risk in total analysis (OR = 0.988, 95% CI = 0.898-1.088) and in all the subgroup analyses by exposure modes, menopausal status, and estrogen receptor status. This result is in accordance with the previous meta-analysis carried out by Erren in 2000. In conclusion, this meta-analysis suggests that ELF-EMF exposure has no association with the susceptibility of female breast cancer.
Faculty of Preventive Medicine, Department of Occupational Health, Key Laboratory of Electromagnetic Radiation Protection, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
Chunhai
C
Chen
Xiangyu
X
Ma
Min
M
Zhong
Zhengping
Z
Yu
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors