At the weekend, the UK newspaper The Daily Telegraph ran a story with the headline Long-term use of mobile phones 'may be linked to cancer' and claimed to disclose the combined results of the INTERPHONE study.

The GSMA reports that associated articles summarised recommendations in other countries and the position of the UK Department of Health. This story was picked up by media in several other locations around the world.

The INTERPHONE combined results have not yet been published as was made clear in comments over the weekend by Professor Bruce Armstrong who leads the Australian part of the study:

There is, as far as a I know, absolutely no information circulating at the moment that is accurate and correct with respects to the results of that study.

The UK story appears to be speculation and reuses material from earlier reporting on the possible results of INTERPHONE. As a part sponsor of INTERPHONE the GSMA expects to be advised when the results will be published and will issue information for member use.

INTERPHONE is an independent scientific study and it is not appropriate to speculate about the possible conclusions. The GSMA would welcome publication of the results so that they can be examined by the scientific community.

The expert body (ICNIRP), which advises the WHO on this subject, recently reviewed all available evidence and stated in September 2009 that present standards for mobile phones and base stations are protective for all persons.

Suggestions of possible risks in some epidemiological studies are generally based on small numbers of subjects and there is uncertainty regarding the accuracy of recall of past use.