Since the start of my involvement in the co-creation of The Brain Tumour Charity’s (TBTC) new strategy. I have spent a lot of time pondering this question ‘‘What has been the significant event or series of events that have occurred within the past 30-40 years, which has led to the growth of brain tumours in all age groups?’
It seems to me that something significant has certainly changed in the way we live our lives in the modern world to the way we used to live back in the 1980’s/90’s.
My current belief is that there are possibly two events:
1. Diet – the increased use and reliance on processed foods, fast foods, energy drinks, drinks with a high sugar content, etc.
2. Wi-Fi - the increased use and reliance of Wi-Fi in how the peoples of the world interact and communicate with each other, use social media, play games, watch tv on their mobile phones, iPad, etc; rather than the previous methods of communication by making phone calls, writing letters, etc.
In one of the meetings, I asked a question about a possible link between the use of mobile phones and development of brain tumours. A member of the group referred to the National Cancer Institute ‘Cell Phones and Cancer Risk’ article. This article was reviewed on March 10, 2022, see attached link below:
cancer.gov/about-cancer/cau...
However, the studies this article has reviewed cover the past usage of mobile phones. When a person’s exposure to a radiated transmission was limited to just making/receiving a call and making/receiving a text. Thus, exposure times were minimal compared to how our bodies are now being constantly exposed to Wi-Fi signals at home, work and when we are out and about compared to the minimal exposure to transmission radiation in the 1980’s/90’s. A time where large areas of the UK had no mobile data coverage and exposure to such signals was limited.
There appears to have been no new research into how mobile phones, iPad, etc., are being used since the research studies were completed.
On page 8 of this article, it is stated ‘The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) states that the weight of the current scientific evidence has not conclusively linked cell phone use with any adverse health problems, but more research is needed (I have highlighted the final words in bold). This leads to the question ‘has any more research been undertaken’?
UK Government 10-year Cancer Plan Consultation
When reading through TBTC’s submission in response to the Government’s 10-year cancer plan consultation. My curiosity was aroused when I read TBTC’s answer to the question regarding 'Delivering these priorities', specifically the sentence ‘Of the factors known to increase the risk of a brain tumour, just two are thought to be ‘preventable’ – being overweight and exposure to ionising radiation – and these are thought to only cause a very small number of cases: it is thought that just 3% of brain tumours in the UK are preventable.’
I was particularly interested in the words ‘ionising radiation’ and looked up its meaning and came across the following information from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency – ARPANSA.
What is ionising radiation?
Ionising radiation is the energy produced from natural or artificial sources. It has more energy than non-ionising radiation, enough to cause chemical changes by breaking chemical bonds. This effect can cause damage to living tissue. (ARPANSA)
How does ionising radiation effect human tissue?
The ARPANSA website states the following:
The body is made up of different cells. For example, we have brain cells, muscle cells, blood cells etc. The genetic material of the cell is found in the nucleus in the form of genes which are in turn combined into strand-like structures called chromosomes. It is the genes within a cell that determine how a cell functions. If damage occurs to the genes, then it is possible for a cancer to occur. This means the cell has lost the ability to control the rate at which it reproduces. If genes are damaged in reproductive organs a mutation may occur. Such a mutation may be passed on to children.
Below is a link to the relevant ARPANSA website page
arpansa.gov.au/understandin...
I am now wondering if the ‘smoking gun’ that could trigger the first stage in the development of a brain tumour could be Wi-Fi.
Could this also be the reason why the biggest killer of people aged 44 and under is brain tumours?
I find it difficult to believe that the development of Wi-Fi and wireless devices and the development of brain tumours in all age groups is just a coincidence in the past 30 - 40 years.
