Single Small-Scale Industry-Funded Study in Japan Claims Mobiles Clear of Cancer Risk - Oh Yes?

Latest study from Japan press release states "Japanese study clears mobiles of brain cancer risk" .

This is rather a far-fetched statement and one can only be suspicious of the motives. One study can never alone be "proof".

In September 2007 a pooled analysis of the 11 existing studies into brain tumours and phone use over 10 years was made.[i]

The scientists found that for tumours on the side of the head where the phone is held people were twice as likely to get a glioma, and two and a half times more likely to get an acoustic neuroma Hardell and Mild (on the MTHR) from Sweden who carried out the

analysis have also conducted their own independent studies into long term use, which show for over 2000 hours use the risk increases five times on the same side of the head where the phone is held.

In September Professor Mild told The Independent on Sunday: "I find it quite strange to see so many official presentations saying that there is no risk. There are strong indications that something happens after 10 years." He also said that mobiles should not be given to children, whose thinner skulls and developing nervous systems make them particularly vulnerable.

Interestingly, this advice was given to French parents by the French Health Ministry in December 2007 [ii] after the release of an Israeli Interphone study on salivary gland tumours showed a 50% increased risk on the same side as the phone was held. [iii]

"The time is past when it could be said that this technology does not causedamage; apparently it damages health," said Dr Sadetzki [iv] According to Sadetzki, director of the Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research at Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, current regulations do not relate to cancer as caused by radiation but to the health risks posed by the instrument heating up.Dr Sadetzki also called for children¹s use to be limited.

There was no press release about this Industry funded research presumably because it showed negative effects. However the large study was conducted in 16 countries and studied 466 patients and 1266 controls.

In January more research funded by the MMF found that radiation from mobile phones delays and reduces sleep, and causes headaches and confusion. [v]

Again there was no release on the news wires since this research had found adverse effects despite that it was performed at 2 blue-chip universities in the USA and Sweden.. Likewise it was only reported by the mainstream media in the UK.

It is hard to comment on this new Japanese study since there is as yet no access to the paper however The Guardian seem to have been able to get an advanced copy. This study needs to be put into context when it is made available.

Update: The Guardian have said that this study was sponsored by Cancer Research but in fact the study said it was entirely funded by the Japanese Government and Mobile Phone industry. The Guardian got it wrong ."The study, funded by Cancer Research UK, was published yesterday in the British Journal of Cancer.'

In fact The study conducted in Japan was fully funded by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan (the equivalent of OFCOM in the UK) with the grateful cooperation of the surgeons and the staffs of the participating institutions. Read Here "A non-significant increase in OR among glioma patients in the heavily exposed group may reflect recall bias."

A recent report on Australian TV gives the alarming statistic that brain tumours in children have risen 21% in the last 10 years and are now the number one cause of death in children. [vi]

The Stewart Report warned back in 2000 that children should only use mobiles for emergencies. This needs to be enforced by the government.

Read more...

Mobile link to disturbed sleep, BBC, Jan 2008

Using a mobile phone could stop you from getting a good night's sleep, research has suggested.

(Interview with Industry MOA-man Mike Dolan and Alasdair Philips from Powerwatch).

Watch here (via BBC pop-up Player)

N.B. Original report was first broken in the UK in the Independent on Sunday "Mobile phone radiation wrecks your sleep"