Reports that the World Health Organisation (WHO) will report
links between mobile phone use and brain tumours "jumped the
gun".
Reports this week claimed that a 10-year study carried out by
the WHO will reveal a link between heavy use of mobile phones and
cancer.
The Interphone study spanned 13 countries to ascertain whether
there are correlations between mobile phone use and brain
tumours.
The early findings have
reportedly been linked, which has sparked speculation. But even
if the initial results have been leaked. there is no way anybody
can tell if there is or isn't a link between mobile phones and
brain tumours because the scientific research process is not
complete, said Dr James Rubin at Kings College London.
"The reports jump the gun because we simple do not know the
final results until the study is complete," added Rubin.
He said before any research can be analysed by scientists
properly, it needs to go through certain stages.
He said the newspaper reports could prove to be true, but at the
moment there is no way of knowing.
He said the findings have not been through peer review yet,
which is the stage that other scientists find flaws in the
research. This is essential if accurate information is to be
found.
"What can happen is a paper can be submitted with a set of
results, but this can change. Unless it goes through the entire
scientific process it is hard to understand the actual
results."
The mobile industry will assess whether it needs to make changes
when the final results are published.
Mike Dolan, executive director at the Mobile Operators
Association, said, "The UK mobile operators, like other
stakeholders, await the publication of the overall analysis of the
data from the Interphone project, so that a proper health
assessment can be undertaken.