Cell Phone and Cancer

You may have heard that there is a possibility that extended use of cell phones may cause brain cancer. Chances are, even though you’re aware of this possibility, you would have bought a phone anyway. Interestingly, you’re not alone. Among the three billion wireless mobile users in the world, there must be a significant number who have heard that cell phones can give you cancer. And the number of cell phone users continue to grow.

So do cell phones increase the risk of cancer? When you think of the steadily rising figures of cell phone subscribers, it’s easy to shrug it off as old wives’ tales, such as the ’70s era theory that exposure to electric power lines put children at risk of leukemia. Research has since confirmed that there is no link between the magnetic waves of electric lines and leukemia. But what about cell phones and cancer, is there a link or not?

While it’s true that cell phones do discharge electromagnetic radiation, scientific research has yet to determine how many phone calls you can make before it becomes too dangerous. The current official statement is that, according to extensive studies, cell phone use does not yield any negative health responses, much less actually cause cancer. Still, scientists continue to caution cell phone users not to make too many lengthy calls.

Another issue that has been brought forward is if it is true that there is too little radiation in cell phones to be declared dangerous, how safe can it be with regular use over a long period of time? This concern arises from the fact that phone conversations necessitate the dispersion of low-level microwave radiation into the caller’s brain, as the antenna that catch these signals are held close to the head. As was mentioned, evidence that these emissions of radiation were harmful is inadequate, but would the radiation linger in the cells of your brain or disappear soon after? It’s hard to tell, of course, but if the electromagnetic waves did indeed linger in your brain and build up over time, an increased amount may prove to be quite damaging.

Aside from cancer, other illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, are undergoing tests to see if they are caused or aggravated by cell phone use. Headaches and fatigue have been presumed to be also caused by exposure to radiation, although there is no real evidence for this, still.

Doctors instead encourage us all to be on the safe side. When making phone calls on your mobile phone, try to use a hands-free device instead of constantly pressing the phone against your head. If your phone has an antenna that can be pulled out, please, by all means, pull out that antenna. Keep it directed away from you if you’re able to manage it.

You could also lower the risk of cancer if you would use your phone for calls more in open spaces, outdoors. When you have to take phone calls inside a building, limit the call for only a few minutes, if you have to. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

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