Mobile Phone use Raises Risk of brain Cancer in Children’s Fivefold

Alarming new research from Sweden on the effects of radiation raises fears that today's youngsters face an epidemic of the disease in later life

By Geoffrey Lean, Environment Editor
Sunday, 21 September 2008

Children and teenagers are five times more likely to get brain cancer if they use mobile phones, startling new research indicates.

The study, experts say, raises fears that today's young people may suffer an "epidemic" of the disease in later life. At least nine out of 10 British 16-year-olds have their own handset, as do more than 40 per cent of primary schoolchildren.

Yet investigating dangers to the young has been omitted from a massive £3.1m British investigation of the risks of cancer from using mobile phones, launched this year, even though the official Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research (MTHR) Programme – which is conducting it – admits that the issue is of the "highest priority".

Despite recommendations of an official report that the use of mobiles by children should be "minimised", the Government has done almost nothing to discourage it.

Last week the European Parliament voted by 522 to 16 to urge ministers across Europe to bring in stricter limits for exposure to radiation from mobile and cordless phones, Wi-fi and other devices, partly because children are especially vulnerable to them. They are more at risk because their brains and nervous systems are still developing and because – since their heads are smaller and their skulls are thinner – the radiation penetrates deeper into their brains.

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Editors Comment:
IF this is true, then a lot of todays children will be in dire trouble as they get older. Unfortunately, it probably wont become apparent for many years. I know a guy who’s friend died at 40ish from brain cancer and he was told he got it from too much mobile phone use. I do own a mobile, but I always switch it off at night, try and keep it away from my person as much as possible and don’t leave it anywhere near my little girl. I also really only use it to send the odd text messages or for incase of emergency, as me and my daughter spend a lot of time walking in the woods and the countryside.