title: Electromagnetic field exposure and male breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis of 18 studies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The possibility that electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposure may increase male breast cancer risk has been discussed for a long time. However, arguments have been presented that studies limited by poor quality could have led to statistically significant results by chance or bias. Moreover, data fo the last 10 years have not been systematically summarized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  To confirm any possible association, a meta-analysis was performed by a systematic search strategy. Totals of 7 case-control and 11 cohort studies was identified and pooled ORs with 95% CIs were used as the principal outcome measures. Data from these studies were extracted with a standard meta-analysis procedure and grouped in relation to study design, cut-off point, exposure assessment method, adjustment and exposure model. A statistical significant increased risk of male breast cancer with EMF exposure was defined (pooled ORs = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.14 -1.52, P < 0.001), and subgroup analyses also showed similar results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This meta-analysis suggests that EMF exposure may be associated with the increase risk of male breast cancer despite the arguments raised.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tong Ji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Jing-Wen
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Xiao-Rong
authors.initials: XR
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hong-Yu
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Jie-Yun
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Qin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Shao-Fa
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Nie
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D018567:Breast Neoplasms, Male / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016017:Odds Ratio