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Feature article:
Cancer cell phone
National Brain Tumor Foundation Tackles
Cell Phone Radiation
Is there a link between cell
phone and brain cancer tumors? Over the past 15 years, there has been growing concern
about this possibility. Part of this concern stems from the fact that there are
over one billion cell phone subscribers worldwide, and the number is increasing.
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Some Interesting Cell Phone Facts
What can I use to
protect myself from cell phone cancer and EMF radiation
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The National Brain Tumor
Foundation (NBTF), a non-profit patient organization, is addressing this
question in its latest newsletter. Stefan Lonn, PhD, a researcher at the
Karolinska Institute in Sweden, authored the cover article.
"It is easy to see the advantages of cell phones both for individuals and for
the wider community," writes Dr. Lonn, "but concerns have been raised that use
of this technology has increased dramatically without sufficient understanding
of potential adverse health effects."
Early last year Dr. Lonn published the results of a Swedish study, which found
an increased risk of acoustic neuroma, a type of brain tumor, after 10 or more
years of cell phone use. This year he published more research results, which
showed that cell phones did not increase the risk of other brain tumor types
(gliomas or meningiomas). These types of conflicting reports often leave the
public unsure about whether cell phones pose a risk or not.
"Because we receive so many questions about whether there is a link between cell
phones and brain tumors, NBTF decided to devote an entire newsletter to this
issue," says Rob Tufel, MSW, MPH, NBTF's Executive Director. "We hope our
readers will be in a better position to make an informed decision about their
own cell phone use after reading our publication."
Dr. Lonn's work is part of the
Interphone study, a 14-country research project initiated by the World Health
Organization (WHO). The results of the Interphone study are due in 2006.
Meanwhile, the WHO suggests that persons concerned about cell phone use can
limit the length of calls, use a "hands- free" device to keep cell phones away
from the head and body, and avoid using cell phones while driving. NBTF has
endorsed these guidelines.
In addition to Dr Lonn's article, the NBTF newsletter contains the views of
prominent health professionals and scientists regarding the possible link
between cell phone use, cell phone cancer and brain tumors.
Each year over 40,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with a primary
brain tumor and 360,000 Americans are currently living with a brain tumor. There
are over 120 different types of brain tumors. Despite numerous studies about
brain tumors, their causes remain unknown.
The National Brain Tumor Foundation raises funds for research into the causes of
brain tumors and to improve treatments. NBTF also provides support and
information to patients and family members and information regarding health
hazards of cell
phone cancer and mobile phone cancer. For a copy of the newsletter,
contact NBTF at 1.800.934.2873 or visit the What's New section of the NBTF
website, www.braintumor.org .
Cell phone cancer |
