Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Updated Info? - Not Really

I read today that there has recently been an Interphone project carried out to study, once again, the possible effects of long-term heavy use of mobile phones and the increased risk of glioma or meningioma.

The International Journal of Epidemiology concluded that the topic still requires further investigation and the authors make it clear that there was insufficient data for a clear interpretation.

The main concern here is the heat generated by cell phones, believed by many as being a cause for pre-cancerous changes resulting in brain tumours. The recent study did show though an increased risk in the highest use group i.e. phones used for more than 30 minutes per day.

What are the flaws of the study?
a) A possible conflict of interest as a percentage of money to conduct the project was supplied by the phone companies.

b) Out of date results. The study centered on exposure during the 1990s and resultant brain tumours between 2000 and 2004. We are now 2010 and I personally feel usage has increased considerably and to rely on peoples recollection of their phone usage during this time is probably difficult and unreliable.

c) Data of child usage was not taken into account for the study. An important group because of their developing brains and their high usage.

It would appear therefore, as per my previous report, that the jury is till out! The UK has launched a larger study and will collect data from 250,000 people over a period of 20 to 30 years so we will have to await results.

So readers - you tell me what you think!
I am still of the opinion that the bottom line is that it would still make sense to limit prolonged use of a mobile phone and to use a headset - I have been doing this since my surgery as my precious brain tells me: -

WHY TAKE THE RISK WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE TO!

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