Mobile Hazards

Mobile phone users face 'brain cancer pandemic'

Researchers have warned that incessant use of mobile phones may cause a brain tumour pandemic in Britain.

A recent 17 million-pounds study concluded that the risk of the disease is at least 25 per cent more than previous studies showed, and only those who talk on their mobile for 30 minutes a day for ten years were more likely to get brain cancer.

But electronics engineer Lloyd Morgan says that the danger is grossly under estimated.

"What we have discovered indicates there is going to be one hell of a brain tumour pandemic unless people are warned and encouraged to change current cell phone use behaviours," The Scotsman quoted Morgan as saying.

"Governments should not soft-peddle this critical public health issue but instead rapidly educate citizens on the risks.

"People should hear the message clearly that cell phones should be kept away from one's head and body at all times," Morgan added.

An earlier study, which included results from the UK and four Scandinavian countries found virtually no increased risk of meningiomas and glioma - two types of brain cancer. Morgan, however, insists that a correction factor applied showed that not only was risk of meningioma found for every year of cell phone use, a person's risk of meningioma increases by 24 per cent.

Ed Yong, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said, "The warnings of a 'brain tumour pandemic' are overblown.

"National brain cancer rates have not increased in proportion to skyrocketing phone use and there are still no good consistent explanations for how mobile phones could cause cancer. "

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