[ RadSafe ] " No brain cancer link to mobile phones, study says "

[Jaro]

http://today.reuters.com/news/NewsArticle.aspx?type=technologyNews&storyID=2
005-08-30T171118Z_01_MAR061801_RTRIDST_0_TECH-CANCER-PHONE-DC.XML
No brain cancer link to mobile phones, study says
Tue Aug 30, 2005 1:12 PM ET

LONDON (Reuters) - Ten years of using a mobile phone results in no increased
risk of a tumour in the nerve connecting the ear to the brain, researchers
said on Tuesday.

But amid public concern about a possible link, the scientists who conducted
the largest study so far on the subject said they could not rule out a
higher risk over a longer period.

"The results of our study suggest there is no substantial risk in the first
decade after starting use," said Anthony Swerdlow of the Institute of Cancer
Research.
"Whether there are longer-term risks remains unknown, reflecting the fact
that this is a relatively recent technology."

The study, published in the British Journal of Cancer, focused on the risk
of acoustic neuroma, benign tumors which grow in the nerve connecting the
ear and inner ear to the brain, close to where handsets are held.

Research has also investigated the possible association of other kinds of
brain tumour with mobile phones but scientists say acoustic neuroma would be
a prime candidate to be affected.

Previous independent studies have found mobile phone radiation may have some
effect on the human body, such as heating up the brain and causing headaches
and nausea.

But no study that could be independently repeated has proved mobile phones
have permanent harmful effects and the mobile phone industry argues there is
no conclusive evidence that electromagnetic radiation causes harm.

About 780 million mobile phones are expected to be sold this year, and
nearly 2 billion people around the world use one.

The institute's analysis pooled studies conducted in Britain, Denmark,
Finland, Norway and Sweden -- all countries where mobile phones were
introduced early.

Cancer charities welcomed the findings.

"However, it's important researchers continue to monitor phone users over
coming years as mobiles are still a relatively new invention," said Cancer
Research UK's Julie Sharp.

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