Cancer expert plays down mobile phone link with brain tumours
A cancer expert from a Fife charity has played down claims that using a mobile phone may increase the risk of brain tumours.
- By Cheryl Peebles
- Published in the Courier : 02.06.11
- Published online : 02.06.11 @ 02.33pm
Scientists from the World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) said use of devices should be classified as "possibly carcinogenic" following a review of evidence.
But Dr Mark Matfield, scientific co-ordinator of the Association for International Cancer Research (AICR), which has its headquarters in St Andrews, said there was no good evidence linking the technology with the disease.
The new classification puts mobile phone use in the same risk category as lead, choloroform and coffee.
Some evidence, the WHO agency said, suggested a link with an increased risk with the brain cancer glioma.
Director Christopher Wild said research was needed into long-term and heavy use of phones and pragmatic measures were needed to reduce exposure until such information was available, such as use of hands-free devices and texting as an alternative.
Dr Matfield advised people against being misled by some of the tabloid headlines.
He said, "The WHO/IARC have put mobile phones in the lowest possible category — possible but not likely — to increase the risk of brain cancer.
"Let's put that in perspective.
"It is possible I will win the lottery this weekend, but it's not very likely.
'No convincing evidence'
He added, "I think the WHO/IARC are being very cautious by doing this.
"If you look at the evidence from all the research into this, the majority of the studies — including all the larger and the best-designed studies — found no increase in cancer among mobile phone users.
"On the balance of evidence, you would have to say they are not a cancer risk."
Dr Matfield said, "There is no convincing evidence linking mobile phone use and cancer.
"There is not even any good evidence, there is some debatable evidence."
He added, "I think that is why IARC/WHO have done this — they don't want the debate closed, they want more research to be done."
"Indeed more research is currently under way."
The AICR funds research around the world into the causes of cancer.
Pictured used under Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user Ed Yourdon.
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