Health executive dies from brain tumour after spending SIX hours a day on his mobile phone
Ian Phillips vowed to beat the disease – which he believed was caused by radiation exposure
A MAN who spent six hours a day on his mobile phone has died from a brain tumour – which he believed was caused by radiation exposure.
Ian Phillips, 44, was told he had a growth the size of a lemon in his brain six years ago.
The health executive vowed to beat the disease – but tragically lost his battle after spending months campaigning about the potential dangers of mobile phones.
His younger sister, Nicky, paid an emotional tribute to Ian following his death.
She said: "Ian was an amazing person. It's heartbreaking, but he was a real fighter and we are so proud of him.
"We are all absolutely devastated but we are getting so much comfort from messages from people all over the world."
Ian – a £110,000-a-year executive with General Electric's healthcare diagnostic imaging - was hit by a blinding headache in 2010.
A tumour the size of a lemon showed up on one of his own MRI scanners at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
Ian underwent a nine-hour emergency operation - but doctors warned him the tumour would return.
Speaking at the time, Ian, of Birchgrove, Cardiff, said: "My ear would be red when I left work at the end of the day. I didn't think what it was doing to my brain.
"I spent my working life on my mobile - I would have two-hour conference calls some days.
"I knew straight away it was due to my excessive use of my Blackberry - I was on it all the time.”
Studies by the University Bordeaux in France discovered an increased risk of brain tumours in people who use their mobiles for more than 15 hours a month.
Ian said: "I did a lot of research and the number of brain tumours is going up.
"I'm really concerned about children using mobiles - their skulls are softer and radiation from these devices can reach their brains more easily."
Ian bought a gold coloured hand receiver in a bid to encourage others to stop holding their mobiles to their ears.
Last year, he said: "I need to get the message across that mobile phones can be dangerous.
"I used mine too much, I know that - but people need to be made aware of the risks and start switching to hand-held receivers. It could save lives."
Ian raised thousands of pounds for brain illness charity Braintrust and was backed by Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey and Wales rugby stars Jonathan Davies and Rhys Priestland.
Instead of giving flowers mourners at his funeral next Friday are asked to donate to Brainstrust.
A Brainstrust spokesperson said: "We are all so deeply sad. Ian was a true diamond, only ever putting other people first.
"He was so charismatic and driven to make the world a better place for our brain tumour community and was a great champion for brainstrust.
"We will miss our friend."
The charity said there is no proof mobile phones cause cancer.
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