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Scientists Link Eye Cancer to Mobile Phones
THE SUNDAY TIMES: NEWS, January 14 2001, BRITAIN
by
Jonathan Leake, Science Editor
MOBILE phones have been linked to human cancer in a scientific
study for the first time. The research suggests there is a threefold
increase in eye cancers among people who regularly use the devices.
The results will cause concern within the mobile telecoms industry.
The radiation emitted from mobile phones has long been known temporarily
to alter the workings of brain cells but there was previously no
evidence of permanent damage to health.
If confirmed by subsequent research, the finding could lead to
thousands of costly lawsuits by people with eye and possibly brain
cancers.
More than 20 million people in Britain have mobile phones.
The research, published in the journal Epidemiology, was carried
out by a team from the University of Essen, in Germany. It investigated
a form of eye cancer called uveal melanoma, in which tumours form
in the layer that makes up the iris and base of the retina.
Dr Andreas Stang, who led the research, said he had examined 118
people with uveal melanoma and obtained details about their use
of digital mobile phones. This was compared with a control group
of 475 people without the disease.
To prevent bias, the researchers were not told if the person theywere
examining suffered from cancer or was healthy. When the results
were analysed they found the cancer victims had a much higher rate
of mobile phone use, though Stang cautions that his study needs
confirmation.
The mechanism by which the radiation might cause cancer is uncertain
but it is known that the watery contents of the eye assists the
absorption of radiation. Other research showed that cells called
melanocytes found in the uveal layer started growing and dividing
more rapidly when exposed to microwave radiation.
Since uveal melanoma starts within such cells, there is a ready-made
mechanism by which mobile phone radiation might help to initiate
cancer, especially in people with a genetic predisposition to the
condition.
Last year the Stewart inquiry into mobile phone safety, appointed
by the government, found no evidence to link the devices with brain
tumours or any other disorder. However, last month saw the launch
of multi-billion-pound lawsuits against Verizon Horizon, an American
mobile phone company 45% owned by Vodaphone, the biggest British
provider. Customers claim they got brain tumours and other conditions
from using the devices.
Vodaphone said it welcomed new research but there was still no
positive evidence that mobile phones harmed health.
Copyright 2001 Times Newspapers Ltd.
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