It's Good To Talk
Mobile phone use does not increase the risk of glioma brain tumour, according to a study released by the British Medical Journal.
Mobile phones are not associated with an increased risk of the most common type of brain tumour, finds the first UK study of the relationship between mobile phone use and risk of glioma. The results have recently been published online by the BMJ.
There are over four thousand new cases of brain tumours per year, of which glioma is the most common type. Early symptoms include headaches and feelings of nausea, but the causes of these tumours are currently unknown.The four-year study, which included
people living in the Thames region, southern Scotland, Trent, the West Midlands
and West Yorkshire, was conducted by by the Universities of Leeds, Nottingham
and Manchester and the Institute of Cancer Research, who found those who had
regularly used a mobile phone were not at a greater overall risk of developing
this type of tumour.
Both people with glioma brain tumours
and healthy volunteers were interviewed about their previous mobile phone use
history including how long they had used mobile phones, the number and duration
of the calls they made and what make and model of phone they had used.
The study found that there was no
relationship for risk of glioma and time since first use of a mobile phone,
lifetime years of use and cumulative number of calls and hours of use. Risk
was not associated with phone use in rural areas which was found to be associated
with an increased risk in an earlier Swedish study.
A significantly increased risk was found for tumours which developed on the
same side of the head as the phone was reported to have been held but this was
mirrored by a decrease in the risk on the opposite side of the head, making
it difficult to interpret as a real effect.
Mobile phones have been available in the UK since 1985, but widespread use did not begin until the late 1990s, making the number of long term users (over 10 years) quite small. This study had limited numbers for estimating the risk of using a phone over a long period.
Early mobile phones were designed to use analogue signals and emitted higher power than current digital phones but the study showed no increased risk of glioma brain tumours with the use of analogue phones.
To see the full report, click here
Have your say...
Be the first to leave your comment.
Send To A Friend
Printer Friendly
Add Page To Favorites
Green Issues With Michael Wale
Apple Lovers
Michael Wale visits a Herefordshire orchard brought back to life by the public.
Spotlight
Meet 50connect's Columnists
From relationship advice to environmental issues; life as an ex-pat living in France and the highs and lows of going back to study; read the latest from our regular contributors.
Bookmark with:
Don’t know what this is?
Read the 50connect Guide To Social Bookmarking.