Could frequent radio wave exposure put us at higher risk for brain cancer? That’s one of the latest theories being discussed regarding the six former Philadelphia Phillies players who died from glioblastoma–a rare, aggressive, and often incurable form of brain cancer. Symptoms include severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, and seizures[2]. Interestingly, five of the six Phillies players were either pitchers or catchers–two positions exposed to radar guns’ radio waves used to measure the velocity of the ball during games[5].

Radio waves are the longest wavelengths, and therefore they are considered the weakest of the electromagnetic wave spectrum[6]. Aside from use in radar systems, radio waves are found in everyday technologies too. Wi-fi and cell tower signals are just two common examples of where radio waves are used in our daily lives[6].

Up until the 2000s, not much investigation has been conducted on possible risk factors of brain tumors, let alone radio wave exposure and its effects on the brain and nervous system[8]. The largest study to date examined subjects over a ten-year period, between 2003 to 2013, to determine their risk of developing three different types of brain tumors[1]. Researchers found that those who consistently used their mobile phone for more than five hours a day had a significant risk for developing a type of brain tumor known as a low-grade glioma[1].

A low-grade glioma is fairly treatable with chemotherapy and radiation[3]. Patients younger than 40 have a recovery rate of over 80%, but this rate drops to 21% with older patients[9]. If not caught early, however, it can progress to the more aggressive glioblastoma[3], which has a much lower recovery rate of 22% in patients between 20 and 44 years old, and only 9% for patients between 45 and 54 years of age, and 6% for those between 55 and 64 years old[7].

Unfortunately, few tumor growth studies share similar control variables like the frequency, duration, or intensity of radio wave exposure, possibly due to this being a relatively newer area of cancer research, and therefore not much to reference in terms of experiment design[8]. In addition, many of these studies only involve mobile phones as the source of radio wave emission, but there are daily radio wave exposures like radar and cell phone towers too. The combined effect could also impact findings.

Some additional research conducted in 2019 at Dankook University in South Korea has looked at the effects of radiofrequency exposure on the central nervous system. They did this by exposing various animal and cell models to radio waves for long periods of time and took note of what changes they observed. This study found that long-term exposure to radio waves triggers molecular changes, such as increases in concentration of certain proteins, that can cause rapid cell reproduction within the nervous system needed to create a tumor[4]. While this has yet to be investigated with human cells, this does help lay a foundation for future research in radiofrequency and cancer formation.

Additional research is necessary to understand the possible effects of radio waves on the brain and central nervous system by including more radio wave emitting devices. Other possible culprits like Wi-Fi exposure or satellite TV service usage could pose more risks, particularly as younger generations have been exposed to this technology since early childhood. Depending on what future research shows, the public health sector may have to work on brain cancer awareness initiatives that educate the public on signs and symptoms, as well as screening methods for those who are found to be at high risk for glioblastoma development.

Bringing this back to home base, for baseball and other sports that heavily utilize radar guns, further research on the effects of frequent measurements via radar technology can reshape the industry. If heavy radar gun use does, indeed, put athletes at higher risk for brain cancer, the sports industry may need to look into safer alternatives to collecting speed measurements in order to protect the players.

References:

1. Brain tumour risk in relation to mobile telephone use: results of the INTERPHONE international case–control study. (2010). International Journal of Epidemiology, 39(3), 675–694. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyq079
2. Glioblastoma – Overview – Mayo Clinic. (2020, April 4). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/glioblastoma/cdc-20350148
3. Glioma vs. glioblastoma: What’s the difference? (2021, May 28). Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. https://www.roswellpark.org/cancertalk/202105/glioma-vs-glioblastoma-whats-difference#:%7E:text=These%20gliomas%20can%20recur%20and%20can%20progress%20to,waiting%20doesn%E2%80%99t%20play%20a%20role%2C%E2%80%9D%20Dr.%20Lipinski%20says.
4. Kim, J. H., Lee, J. K., Kim, H. G., Kim, K. B., & Kim, H. R. (2019). Possible Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Field Exposure on Central Nerve System. Biomolecules & Therapeutics, 27(3), 265–275. https://doi.org/10.4062/biomolther.2018.152
5. Nelson, J. (2022, May 18). Brain cancer deaths of six former Phillies players must be investigated, says Dr. Siegel. Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/media/cancer-deaths-former-phillies-players-investigated-siegel
6. radio wave | Examples, Uses, Facts, & Range. (2021). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/radio-wave
7. Survival Rates for Selected Adult Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors. (2020, May 5). American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/brain-spinal-cord-tumors-adults/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-rates.html#:%7E:text=Survival%20rates%20for%20more%20common%20adult%20brain%20and,%20%2015%25%20%206%20more%20rows%20
8. Vienne-Jumeau, A., Tafani, C., & Ricard, D. (2019). Environmental risk factors of primary brain tumors: A review. Revue Neurologique, 175(10), 664–678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurol.2019.08.004
9. What Is the Survival Rate of Glioma? Gliomas Prognosis. (2022, February 16). MedicineNet. https://www.medicinenet.com/what_is_the_survival_rate_of_glioma/article.htm