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Mobile phones, microwaves and clock radios 'catalysts for cancer': Charlie Teo

Cheryl Critchley
October 28, 2009 12:00am

BRAIN cancer surgeon Charlie Teo has urged people to put mobile phones on loudspeaker, move clock radios to the foot of the bed and wait until microwaves have finished beeping before opening them.

The controversial Sydney specialist told a Melbourne fundraiser that although the jury was still out on mobile phones and other forms of electromagnetic radiation, people should not take risks.

"Just to err on the side of safety, I would try and limit the amount of EMR that you're exposed to," he said.

"The American Government, for example, recommends that all electrical appliances should be put at the foot of the bed and not the head of the bed.

"Electric blankets should be turned off before you get in bed and definitely wait for those five beeps before you open the microwave.

"With the mobile phone, I encourage you to put it on loud speaker and step outside rather than sticking it up to your brain."

Dr Teo, who tackles tumours other surgeons deem inoperable, said some hair dyes, particularly red, could also cause brain cancer in people with a predisposition.

"The hair dye, the mobile phone, they're just catalysts but you probably need some sort of genetic aberration to get the cancer in the first place."

Dr Teo said while breast cancer doubled its cell numbers in weeks or months, the quickest brain cancers took just 16 hours. No age group was immune and the incidence of brain tumours was increasing.

"It's increasing in frequency both in this country and developing countries. It's just joined the top 10 most common cancers."

Recent studies have also raised alarm bells about mobile phones. A yet-to-be released World Health Organisation study reportedly found "a significantly increased risk" of some brain tumours related to use of mobile phones for 10 years or more.

A Turkish university study also found wearing a mobile phone on your belt may lead to decreased bone density in an area of the pelvis commonly used for bone grafts.

The growing clamour about the hazards of mobile phones has worried Brisbane public servant Ainsley Zurvas.

"It definitely concerns me (the radiation). I use my phone for work constantly throughout the day and for organising social activities," she said.

The 21-year-old said she now tried to limit the time spent speaking into the handset, using hands-free as often as possible.

Dr Teo said while there had been some advancements in treating tumours, a healthy diet, meditation and positive thought could also help as they boosted the immune system.


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