The Daily Telegraph has revealed that a £20 million World Health Organization investigation into a link between long-term use of mobile phones and some types of cancer has found evidence that ‘heavy users’ may have a higher risk of developing brain tumours in later life.

Results of the 10-year study are due to be published later this year – but are not ‘definitive’; however, the findings are thought to be convincing enough to undermine reassurances from the government that mobile phones are safe to use.

 Preliminary evidence from the study suggests that using a mobile phone for 10 years or more leads to a ‘significantly increased risk’ of developing a brain tumour.

The lead researcher in the Interphone inquiry, Dr Elisabeth Cardis, has said the report would include ‘a public health message’ when published.

The Department of Health has not updated its guidance on mobile phone use for four years – currently it says children should be discouraged from making long calls, while adults should keep calls short.

Dr Cardis said:

‘In the absence of definitive results – and in the light of a number of studies which, though limited, suggest a possible effect of radiofrequency radiation – precautions are important.

‘I am therefore globally in agreement with the idea of restricting the use by children; though I would not go as far as banning mobile phones as they can be a very important tool, not only in emergencies, but also maintaining contact between children and their parents and thus playing a reassurance role.’

The study was conducted across 13 countries and involved interviewing healthy people and those with tumours to compare their mobile phone use – two out of seven studies examining the incidence of benign tumours between the ear and brain (acoustic neurinoma) found a higher risk in those who had used mobile phones for more than 10 years: in Sweden, researchers found a 3.9 per cent increased risk. The results cannot be considered definitive, however, because of memory impairment among some of those interviewed.

An Israeli study found heavy users of mobile phones 50 per cent more likely to develop a tumour of the parotid salivary gland.

The Interphone inquiry has been criticised for including in its findings those who made just one call a week – and excluding children. Some results have also shown some protection against cancer from short-term use of mobile phones, suggesting flaws in the study. Publication of the results has been delayed while the study authors decide how to present the conclusions.

The Health Protection Agency said there was no ‘hard evidence’ at present to suggest a link between mobile phone use and health risks – while the Mobile Operators Association said more than 30 scientific studies had found no link between ill health and mobile phone use.

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