by Sean O'Hare
seanohare@trinitysouth.co.uk
DETAILS of an investigation into whether there is a link between mobile phone masts and brain tumours have been revealed by Bucks PCT.
The investigation was launched after it emerged that in the space of ten years, four pupils from St Joseph's Catholic Primary School developed brain tumours. Two are former pupils and two are currently at the school.
A fifth child from a school which shares a playing field with St Josephs died from a tumour eight weeks ago. St Joseph's is currently surrounded by 15 mobile phone masts.
Since the revelation in mid-October, the Buckinghamshire PCT has been working with the Oxford Cancer Intelligence Unit (OCIU), the Childhood Cancer Research Group (CCRG) and the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to obtain their expert advice.
The OCIU and the CCRG monitor cancers in the local population and the HPA advises on health risks of environmental hazards.
The OCIU and CCRG are analysing the rates of brain tumours in children living in the catchment area of the school which covers the Chiltern and South Bucks districts. These local rates will be compared to the rates in Thames Valley (Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire) and to the national rates to see if they are significantly higher, lower, or the same.
The analyses cover the 10 year time period from 1996-2005 inclusive, since 2005 is the most recent year for which there are complete data available on all the cancers that occurred in children.
A statement released by Bucks PCT said: "Although the data are not yet complete for 2006, OCIU and CCRG will share the data that they have to enable a complete picture for 2006 to be available as soon as possible.
"There are many different types of brain tumours and it is important that all are included. Work on the analyses is progressing to plan and it is anticipated that this will be completed
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