EH-91-4 Occupational Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields and Male Breast Cancer
                OFFICE OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND HEALTH SURVEILLANCE
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                            HEALTH BULLETIN
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY                             WASHINGTON, D.C.
Issue 91-4                                                October 1991
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          Occupational Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields
                     and Male Breast Cancer


A recent study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology
suggests that men occupationally exposed to electromagnetic fields
(EMFs) may experience an increased risk of breast cancer.  Breast
cancer in men is a very rare disease; about one case is diagnosed
each year per 100,000 men in the general population. 
Electromagnetic fields are created by the flow of electrical
charges in an alternating current and are generated by anything
powered by electricity.  Hair dryers, kitchen appliances, and
electric power tools are examples of everyday sources of EMFs.

The researchers identified 227 men (cases) who were diagnosed with
breast cancer between 1983 and 1987 from 10 population-based cancer
registries.  Three hundred men who did not have breast cancer and
were similar in age served as the control population.  Cases and
controls were asked questions concerning their two longest-held
occupations, the job titles, and the dates of employment.  They
were also asked questions about other factors known to be
associated with male breast cancer, including a family history of
breast cancer, exposure to ionizing radiation, head injuries,
educational status, and body weight.

Each job title was categorized as "exposed" or "unexposed"
according to the likelihood for exposure to electromagnetic fields. 
Jobs classified as "exposed" were divided into five subgroups:  1)
electric trades and related occupations (telephone line and
electric power installers), 2) electric equipment repair (telephone
and household appliance repairers), 3) communications and
broadcasting (air traffic controllers and broadcast equipment
operators), 4) engineers and technicians, and
5) welders.  

Thirty-three (14.5 percent) men with breast cancer and 26 controls
(8.7 percent) held jobs that were classified as "exposed" to EMFs. 
Breast cancer cases were also more likely than the controls to have
worked in four of the five subgroups considered.  Cases were six
times more likely than the controls to report that they worked in
the electric trades and related occupations.  The second highest
risk, although not statistically significant, was for communication
and broadcasting workers; cases were three times  more likely to
work in these jobs than the controls.

The risk of breast cancer did not increase with increasing duration
of employment in "exposed" jobs.  When the data were examined more
closely, only individuals who were first employed before age 30 and
worked in an "exposed" job for at least 30 years were at increased
risk of developing breast cancer.

Care must be used when interpreting the results of this study
because no actual measurements of EMF exposure were taken.  The
lack of exposure measurements and the variability with respect to
exposure within each job category, limits any formal evaluation of
male breast cancer risk in relation to the intensity of exposure. 
The authors advised that caution should be exercised in applying
the results of this study to exposures in residential settings. 
The intensity of electric and magnetic field exposures has
generally been found to be 10 times higher in occupational settings
than in residential settings, and other aspects of exposure may
differ even more.
 
Women and men share some similar risk factors for developing breast
cancer, such as a family history of breast cancer and exposure to
ionizing radiation.  However, there is no certainty that this study
has the same implications for women, and studies of occupational
exposure to EMFs and the risk of breast cancer in women are needed. 
Compared to what we already know about the possible causes of male
breast cancer, exposure to EMFs might only account for a very small
fraction of the disease.



      This Health Bulletin is one in a series of routine publications
      issued by the Office of Health to share data from health studies
      throughout the DOE complex. The authors conclusions do not
      necessarily reflect those of the Department.  For more information
      contact:  Dr. Terry L. Thomas, Director, Health Coordination and
      Communication Division, Office of Epidemiology and Health
      Surveillance, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C.  20585;
      Telephone FTS 233-5328, Commercial (301) 353-5328.
.