Cellphones 'don't cause cancer'

2005-04-12 12:28

Copenhagen - Cellphones do not increase the risk of cancerous tumours of the brain, according to a new study by the Danish cancer society, published on Monday.

The Kraeftens Bekaempelse's researchers interviewed 427 Danes suffering with brain tumours and 822 others without tumours about their usage of cellphones.

"This study shows very clearly that using portable phones does not increase the risks of developing brain cancer. And our findings are similar to those of other major studies, including a recent one published in Sweden," said Christoffer Johansen, a professor of medicine who headed the Danish research.

Another Nordic study, in which the Danish cancer society participated, also came to the same conclusions, he said.

Too soon to say

"It is too soon to say if over the long term the frequencies of mobile phones, introduced in Denmark in the early 1980s... will have a negative effect on the brain," Johansen said.

"But since we have not seen for 20 years the slightest tendency toward a risk of cerebral tumours, it is difficult to imagine that using portable phones would be an essential factor in the risk of brain cancer," he said.

At the same time, the Danish cancer society still recommended that rather than holding the cellphone to the ear, everyone especially children and teenagers should make use of the ear pieces in the hands-free kits that usually come with the phones.

- SAPA