Melatonin, Cancer and Possible Effects of Electromagnetic Fields

In February 2006 the independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR) issued a report on Power Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, Melatonin and the Risk of Breast Cancer. The publication of this report generated considerable correspondence and HPA considered that this could be usefully addressed by a set of frequently asked questions. Subsequent to publication of the report a number of research papers have been published that are relevant to the issues raised in the AGNIR report. As a consequence the FAQs here have been updated and the additional papers are referred to as 'recent publications' in the appropriate FAQ.

References - recent publications cited in the FAQs

Schernhammer ES and Hankinson SE (2005). Urinary melatonin levels and breast cancer risk. J Natl Cancer Inst, 97,1084-87.
Blask DE, Brainard GC, Dauchy RT, Hanifin JP, Davidson LK, Krause JA, Sauer LA, Rivera-Bermudez MA, Dubocovich ML, Jasser SA, Lynch DT, Rollag MD and Zalatan F (2005). Melatonin-depleted blood from premenopausal women exposed to light at night stimulates growth of human breast cancer xenografts in nude rats. Cancer Res, 65, 11174-1184.
Davis S, Mirick DK, Chen C, Stanczyk FZ (2006). Effects of 60-Hz magnetic field exposure on nocturnal 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, estrogens, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone in healthy reproductive-age women: results of a crossover trial. Ann Epidemiol, 16, 622-31.
Schernhammer ES, Kroenke CH, Laden F and Hankinson SE (2006). Night work and risk of breast cancer. Epidemiology, 17, 108-111.
Henshaw DL and Reiter RJ (2005). Do magnetic fields cause increased risk of childhood leukemia via melatonin disruption? Bioelectromagnetics, Suppl 7, S86-97.

Last reviewed: 8 September 2008