Scientists link eye cancer to mobile phones

[Guest guest]

> Leake, Science Editor

> http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/news/pages/sti/2001/01/14/stinwenws01032.h

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> 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 tothousands

> of costly lawsuits by people with eye and possibly brain cancers.

>

> More than 20m 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 s 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 they were

> 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 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.