Inquiry into cancer cluster fears at 'tower of doom'
May 12 2005
By Jessica Shaughnessy Daily Post Staff
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RESIDENTS have been offered a full health check to allay fears that radiation from a mobile phone mast has caused a cancer cluster.
Seven people who lived in Liscard House, Wallasey, nicknamed the "tower of doom", have died from serious illnesses in the past 18 months.
Last night, the doctor who is leading an investigation into the possible cluster said he did not believe the deaths were linked to radiation from the masts.
But Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, consultant in health protection for Birkenhead and Wallasey Primary Care Trust (PCT), said residents were being offered a free health check to put their minds at rest. He said: "We are carrying out an investigation because residents have expressed serious concern about health in their area.
"Our investigation will be around any potential health issues rather than the effects of mobile phone masts. I don't really believe there's a link between the deaths and radiation from the masts - there have been reports to show there is no link - but we have to make sure there is no underlying cause of ill-health in a particular area."
Vodafone and Orange both have base stations on top of the block of 86 council flats alongside a radio mast used by emergency services.
Residents have begun to fear emissions from the mast are dangerous after losing five neighbours to cancer and two to other serious illnesses recently.
In the last 18 months, Norman McMahon, 61, Ray Clinch, 73, and Patricia Doughty, 65, have died of lung cancer while Betty Olney, 73, and Anastasia Redington, 71, died of throat and bowel cancer respectively. Jean McCabe, 72, lost her battle against liver disease and Alan Benson, 88, died from a stroke.