One of Australia’s leading cancer epidemiologists has been reported saying that claims that mobile phone users are five times more likely to develop brain tumours “just don’t stack up”.

The Herald Sun this week reported that activists from the US Environmental Health Trust claimed a “reanalysis” of six major studies of mobile phones found they had substantially underestimated their potential to allegedly cause cancer.

Lead researcher Lloyd Morgan warned the findings raised the possibility of a “brain tumour pandemic” unless people changed the way they used their phones.

Professor Bruce Armstrong of the University of Sydney, who led Australia’s participation in the global Interphone study, said although further study of mobile phone safety were justified there was no solid evidence mobile phones were dangerous.

He said suggestions that tumours were more common on the side of the head that mobile phone users rested their handsets were not borne out by any corresponding rise in brain tumour rates in the community.

“If you take those estimates of a five times increase in risk, they just don’t stack up against a complete lack of evidence for increases in rates of brain tumours in people who use mobile phones the most,” he said.

The Herald Sun also quoted AMTA saying that the recent Interphone report, the biggest study of its kind undertaken, had found no increased risk of brain cancer from mobile phone use.

Specifically on mobile phones and overall cancer risk, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) stated in the 2008 World Cancer Report:

"With reference to radio frequency, available data do not show any excess risk of brain cancer and other neoplasms associated with the use of mobile phones"(IARC World Cancer Report December 2008 P461)

In reviewing the overall cancer incidence rates the World Cancer Report also states: “After 1983 and more recently during the period of increasing prevalence of mobile phone users, the incidence has remained relatively stable for both men and women.”

Similar results were reported in a 2009 Nordic study where brain tumour incident rates between 1974 and 2003 were analysed in a population of 16 million adults. Again no increased incident trend was observed.

In 2009, the International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), which advises the WHO on EMF safety, reviewed the available evidence including brain tumour studies and reaffirmed the existing EMF safety guidelines, which are protective of all people.

Also, the most recent independent review that specifically looked at children, conducted in 2009 by seven internationally recognised experts, including one from Australia, found:

 ‘…Overall, the review of the existing scientific literature does not support the assumption that children’s health is affected by RF EMF exposure from mobile phones or base stations.’ (Reference Children’s Health and RF EMF Exposure – JULICH September 2009)

 AMTA supports the WHO’s practical steps for people to reduce their exposure if they are concerned:

• Use a hands-free kit or loudspeaker so the mobile is away from the head and body

• Use text messages when practical

• Limit the length or number of calls

All mobile phones sold in Australia must comply with the national and international safety standards.