There are increasing concerns and reports that long-term cell phone use might increase the risk of brain tumors. Here are some of the recent news events and studies that have sparked a debate and a call for further research to determine if cell phones are harmful or safe:
- According to a news report from the University of Pittsburg Cancer Institute, the director of the Cancer Institute has warned his staff and colleagues about the potential increased health risks, including cancer, from long-term cell phone use. The report states that he has based his concerns on unpublished data from ongoing studies that he feels are suggestive of an increased risk. His warning was particularly concerned with children using cell phones since their young, developing brains might be more vulnerable to risk. He states that children should only use cell phones in emergencies. He also warns that the current available evidence is controversial and further research is needed. But in the meantime, he feels there is enough evidence to merit a warning.
- Authors of a study published in the International Journal of Oncology examined the results of 10 case-control studies looking at cell phone use and risk of brain tumors. They conclude that the risk of having a glioma or an acoustic neuroma tumor increases with long-term (10 years or more) cell phone use. Some studies also showed that people with brain cancer who were heavy cell phone users tended to have tumors on the side of the head where they held their phone.
- In 2008, the International Agency for Research on Cancer stated that low-frequency electromagnetic fields (such as those emitted from cell phones) are a potential cancer risk. The authors of the French study – known as the Interphone study – found that there was not a significantly increased risk for brain tumors from cell phone use. But they did find a tendency for an increased risk of one type of brain tumor, known as a glioma tumor, among the heaviest users of cell phones. However, this tendency cannot be confirmed without further research.
For the time being, the American Cancer Society (ACS) states that the evidence is insufficient to prove a link between cell phone use and brain cancer. But they encourage further studies.
Both the ACS and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) state that there is no proof that wireless phones pose a health risk. But there is also no proof that they are absolutely safe either. The FDA also encourages further research on cell phones and their potential health risks, and encourages steps by the wireless industry to ensure consumers’ safety.
Researchers and clinicians who believe that there IS an increased risk of brain cancer with cell phone use suggest that you take the following steps to reduce your risk:
- Use headphones (either wired or Bluetooth®) rather than holding a cell phone right next to your ear and head.
- Limit the amount of time you spend on cell phone calls.
- Use the speaker-phone feature on your cell phone.
- Use a landline telephone whenever possible.
However, until further research is conducted, it’s hard to know what the impact of these safety measures will be. If cell phone use is found to be unsafe, these measures may or may not be enough to prevent health problems. But if cell phones are found to be safe, these steps might be unnecessary. Until we know for sure, taking these safety measures might be the wise thing to do. |
Sources:
- Cancer chief sees cell phone risks. News and Events. University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.
- Hardell L, Carlberg M, Söderqvist F, Hansson Mild K. Meta-analysis of long-term mobile phone use and the association with brain tumours. International Journal of Oncology; 32(5): 1097-103.
- Hours M, Bernard M, Montestrucq L, Arslan M et al. Cell phones and risk of brain and acoustic nerve tumours: The French INTERPHONE case-control study. [Article in French] Revue d’ Epidemiologie et de Sante Publique; 55(5):321-32.
- Cell phone facts: Consumer information on wireless phones. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- Cellular phones. American Cancer Society.
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