Excessive mobile phone use linked to brain cancer

Making more than 15 hours of mobile telephone calls a month makes you three times more likely to develop brain cancer, according to new research.

Scientists from Bordeaux University in France claim that sales and business professionals are the most at risk, as they are more likely to travel, and so will rely on their mobiles to communicate with bosses and clients on a regular basis.

These conclusions were drawn from a study of brain tumours – 253 cases of glioma and 194 cases of meningioma – that were reported in four French departments between 2004 and 2006.

Researchers matched these patients with healthy members of the public in a bid to spot any differences between the two groups.

It was found that there was a significant risk among those who used their phone on a number of occasions, compared to those who used it far less.

On average, people will spend around two and a half hours each month talking on their mobile phones, yet there are those who clock up to around 900 hours during the course of their career.

This new research has served to reinforce the dangers associated with too much mobile phone use, and French pressure groups are now calling for tougher rules to regulate exposure to electromagnetic waves.

Despite growing concern, Roger Salamon, of the ISPED institute which carried out the research, is adamant there is little need to worry – especially as mobile phone technology is constantly evolving.

“There is no reason to panic. This does not mean that everyone who makes a call with a mobile phone is going to get a brain tumour,” he said.

“The rapid evolution of technology has led to a considerable increase in the use of mobile phones and a parallel decrease of [radiowave intensity] emitted by the phones. Studies taking account of these recent developments and allowing the observation of potential long-term effects will be needed.”