Feature Article: Cell Phone And Brain Cancer

Understanding the Risk

As the use of cell phones becomes increasingly common, scientists are beginning to ponder the consequences of regular exposure to cell phone radiation. In particular, there is growing concern about the link between radiation emissions and brain cancer. Although there is no conclusive evidence to link use of cell phone and brain cancer, there are a number of variables that make the investigation of adverse health effects a worthwhile undertaking.

Some Interesting Facts about Cell Phones

Cell Phone Cancer?

Much of the hullabaloo regarding cell phone use stems from two prominent social trends that have proceeded in tandem for the past few decades. In particular, researchers have noted a substantial increase in the rate of brain cancer diagnosis in the Unites States, and some scientists have suggested a 25 percent increase since the 1970s. This increase has been paralleled by a dramatic increase in cell phone use over the past decade.

What can I use to protect myself from cell phone radiation

Cell Phone and Brain Cancer

Anyone who has taken an introductory statistics course is familiar with the pithy saying, "correlation does not equal causation." That is, simply because two events are associated with one another does not mean that one causes the other. With regard to the link between cell phones and brain cancer, scientists are quick to point out that it is tenuous at best. It is likely that a host of factors contribute to increasing rates of brain cancer, including toxins from a variety of environmental sources.

At the same time, other research does document a link between exposure to electromagnetic radiation and subsequent brain cancer. This link, as well as an absence of longitudinal research on the health consequences of cell phone use makes it important to exercise caution. Take the time to learn about the emission level of your phone and to explore options for reducing radiation exposure.

When we talk about the cellular phone market, we're talking about a global mass market of 800 million units now in use (160 million in the U.S. alone) and growing by 15% to 20% a year. To date, thousands of independent scientific studies have already linked microwave radiation, such as that emitted from cell-phones and Transmission towers, to cell phone and brain cancer. However studies are regularly funded by the cell phone industry and to date, their studies have been reported as inconclusive. It makes one wonder why their results are different from the results of the independent studies.