The influence of mobile phones on etiology of brain tumours is examined – an epidemiological study20/11/2002
The study group that has been working on an epidemiological study to discover and examine causes for brain tumours is now ready to start analyzing the results. The aim is specially to find out the possible influence of the use of mobile phone on the etiology of brain tumours. The researchers are also attempting to determine other factors affecting the tumour risk factors. The purpose is to analyze the data the group has collected from five university hospitals, consisting of material from about 700 brain tumour patients and their controls. Collecting the data was concluded in the end of October 2002. ”The information has been acquired by interviewing people and collecting data from case records. In addition, mobile phone operators have delivered data on the use of mobile phones concerning the persons participating the study”, explains Anssi Auvinen, the responsible project leader and Research Professor from STUK–Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority. The study is part of an international INTERPHONE project, attempting to find out causes for brain tumours. ”The strength of this study is the diversified data from different sources and longer periods of individual mobile phone use compared to earlier studies”, Auvinen states.About 700 brain tumours are discovered yearly in Finland. There are many types of brain tumours from benign meningeomas to malign gliomas. The causes for their etiology are, however, not well known. Finding out more about the causes might help to prevent them. The INTERPHONE study also investigates the influence of X-ray examinations, hormonal auctors and hereditary predisposition on etiology of brain tumours. The study material analysis to be done by STUK is financed by the Emil Aaltonen Foundation. For this the foundation allocates funds altogether 190 000 euros in three years. The first results will be out in 2003. Page updated 30/09/2004
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