Mobile Phone Usage and Risk of Brain Cancer
I watched watching free tv on NBC 11 (WBAL-TV) this weekend and caught an interesting story about the risk of brain cancer from using cell phones. The problem is that since it takes 10 years for most brain cancers to develop, the jury is still out on how great of a risk cell phones bring:
Cell phones allow us to be in constant communication with others 24 hours a day, seven days a week almost anywhere in the world — something that what was once uncommon. But some scientists said they think the devices need a closer look.
Dr. Devra Davis is director of the world’s first Center for Environmental Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. She said she first became interested in cell phones and cancer after seeing some studies from Scandinavia that showed an increased brain cancer risk for people using cell phones for 10 years or more.
“There have been more studies that show no risk. Unfortunately, those studies haven’t looked at cell phone use for 10 years or more,” she said.
Davis said it takes 10 years for most brain cancers to develop. Pictures from cell phone companies show the electromagnetic signal goes about two inches into the adult brain — halfway through the brain of a 10-year-old and completely through the brain of a 5-year-old. Yet children are one of the fastest growing markets for cell phones.
Davis said children’s’ brains are the most vulnerable.
The best policy is to avoid using cell phones except when absolutely necessary. In addition to preventing cancer, you will also save a lot of money by going with a pay-as-you-go plan.
November 7th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Unfortunately prostate cancer symptoms are not seen in the early stages when it can be curable. Decrease in food intake, lack of hunger, weight loss, softening of bone are the symptoms seen in advanced stages.