A hospital study that compared brain cancer patients and a similar group

Last updated: 7/8/2022

A hospital study that compared brain cancer patients and a similar group without brain cancer found no statistically significant association (a = 5%) between cell phone use and a group of brain cancers known as gliomas. But when 20 types of glioma were considered separately an association was found between phone use and one rare form. Puzzlingly, however, this risk appeared to decrease rather than increase with greater mobile phone use. Which of the following is an appropriate conclusion? Because 5% is 1/20, we expect about 1 of 20 tests to give a significant result even if there is only random chance at work. Evidently, using cell phones cuts down on at least one type of glioma cancer. Cell phones definitely do not cause brain cancer. Some cell phones definitely do cause brain cancer.