Use your mobile for long periods of time and you could increase your risk of brain cancer by 40 per cent.

That’s the findings of a ten-year global study by the World Health Organisation.

But some have queried the results labelling them ‘inconclusive’.

Sophie Benjamin reports.

[flashvideo file=https://www.qutnews.com/uploads/tv-2010-1/20100517-mobile-phone-study.flv /]

TRANSCRIPT

It’s the largest study of its kind ever undertaken involving thousands of people from thirteen countries, including Australia.

For most mobile users, the results shows no increased tumour risk.

But with excessive use, the study’s authors could not rule out a link between mobiles and cancer.

What has come under question are the methods used in the study.

Chris Althus, Mobile Telecommunication Association: “There were some people in that study that reported using their phones for more than 12 hours a day. Now the researchers themselves have said this is unreliable information, we caution against using it in drawing conclusions.”

But some medical experts are already labelling the study as inconclusive. Rather then being monitored, participants were asked to recall from memory their mobile phone usage habits over the past decade.

The Cancer Council has cautiously welcomed the study’s findings although it recommends that childrens’ use of mobiles should be minimal, or not at all.

Sophie Benjamin, QUT news