Parker Waichman LLP

Experts Call Latest Cell Phone – Brain Tumor Study Flawed

An international group of experts has slammed a study that purportedly found no link between brain tumors and radiation from cell phones. According to the group, the study, which is the largest to date to examine a possible association between cell phone radiation and cancer, was “deeply flawed” and “designed to fail” to find a […]

An international group of experts has slammed a study that purportedly found no link between brain tumors and radiation from cell phones. According to the group, the study, which is the largest to date to examine a possible association between cell phone radiation and cancer, was “deeply flawed” and “designed to fail” to find a connection between<"https://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/Cell-Phones-Cause-Cancer-Radiation-Exposure-Lawsuit-Lawyer">cell phones and tumors.

According to a report from MedScape.com, the study in question was published last week in the British Medical Journal, and was an update of a nationwide Danish study that compared the cancer risk among 420,095 Danish cell-phone subscribers to nonusers from 1982 to 1995, with follow-up to 1996. The study, which now spans 18 years, found no evidence of an increased risk for any cancer, including brain or central nervous system (CNS) tumors, MedScape.com said.

However, the authors of the study did point out that their findings were not the last word on a possible cell phone-cancer link, noting that “a small to moderate increase in risk for subgroups of heavy users or after even longer induction periods than 10 to 15 years cannot be ruled out, further studies with large study populations, where the potential for misclassification of exposure and selection bias is minimized, are warranted.”

According to MedScape.com, a group of experts from several countries has posted a rebuttal to the study on ElectromagneticHealth.org, a U.S.-based health education and advocacy group.

“This seriously flawed study misleads the public and decision makers about the safety of phone use. I consider that their claims are worthless,” Denis L. Henshaw, PhD, emeritus professor of human radiation effects, University of Bristol, United Kingdom, states in the document.

“In order for any study of a relatively rare disease like brain tumors to find a change in risk, millions must be followed for decades,” explains Devra Davis, PhD, MPH, cancer epidemiologist and president of Environmental Health Trust. “By extending an earlier analysis on the same group of cell phone users, this new report provides unsurprising, biased, and misleading conclusions.”

Among other things, the rebuttal raises questions about the individuals chosen to represent the study’s control group. According to MedScape.com, the Danish researchers compared the rates of brain tumors that occurred from 1990 to 2007 in those who began using cell phones after 1987 with the rates in those who were nonsubscribers when the study started. “This understates risk, because most of those who began as ‘nonsubscribers’ to cell phone service (i.e., the ‘controls’ at the time the cohort was collected) became cell phone users later on, and accumulated almost as many years (on average per person) as the ‘exposed’ subscribers. Hence, the comparison to the population not contained in the subscriber sample is a comparison between 2 exposed groups,” the group writes. This weakness, the group asserts, “would dilute any association between phone use and cancer risk, and this is important for a negative study like the current one.”

The rebuttal goes on to assert that the Danish study actually did find a link between cell phones and cancer. “In fact, the article reports a significant increased risk of a very rare form of glioma of the cerebral ventricle based on 8 cases (2.58; 95% CI,1.08 to 6.10), but the authors chose to make no mention of this significant finding. In this instance, despite the small number, the finding is significant,” they write.

“In a study of relatively rare diseases, such as brain tumors, the failure to obtain statistical significance should not be confused with a lack of public health importance.” they continue.

The body of research that has examined a possible association between cell phones and cancer continues to be inconclusive. However, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently decided to classify cell phone radiation as possibly carcinogenic to humans after reviewing hundreds of human and animal studies. As we’ve reported, the IARC’s review included the 2010 INTERPHONE study, which found that the heaviest cell phone users experienced a 40 percent higher risk for gliomas, the most common type of brain tumor.

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
After suffering pain from a serious injury that occurred during a slip and fall, Parker Waichman gave me Julie Trinidad, which was an effective decision. Ms. Trinidad made my life easier during the stressful time. She provided all answers on a timely manner and did an efficient job with my injury case. Sometimes she provided answers for questions before I could even think of them. She always kept me up to date with all aspects of the case and made sure to see if was in decent condition. I never had to worry because I was in perfect hands and with someone who actually cares about the client (which was me). If anyone I know needs legal advice I would recommend Parker Waichman base off of the great experience and assistance I received from Julie Trinidad. Ms. Trinidad was the best. Merlyn M
Anonymous !
4 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
The law firm worked with me on a victim compensation fund. Christina Morace was the paralegal and through the long process she called me to keep me up to date. She let me know what paperwork was coming and what it meant. She also called to explain the time table for each part. I did not have to wonder about what was happening. I really appreciate her work and the others at Parker Waichman.
Shauna N
2 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Good lawyers, I would recommend to anyone in need of legal services.
Guy Bradley
7 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038