On May 31, 2011, an international panel of experts reported that cell phone usage might increase the risk of certain types of brain cancer; thus, adding fuel to the growing debate that cell phones pose a health risk. They stated that cellphone radio waves are “possibly carcinogenic,” classifying them in the same risk category as lead, chloroform and coffee. The panel noted that the classification from the World Health Organization's (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) could lead the United Nations health body to revise its mobile-phone guidelines Locally, Dr. Keith Black, chairman of neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said “The biggest problem we have is that we know most environmental factors take several decades of exposure before we really see the consequences,” The IARC panel did not conduct new research; the report was issued after reviewing the “available literature” on everything from microwave exposure to the environmental exposures of radio, television and wireless signals. The panel reviewed studies and concluded there was limited evidence that cellphones may cause glioma, a type of brain tumor that originates in the brain or spine. “The conclusion means that there could be some risk, and therefore we need to keep a close watch for a link between cellphones and cancer risk,” said Jonathan Samet, chairman of the IARC's working group and a professor at University of Southern California.
The mobile-phone industry vigorously opposed the IARC's decision, stating that the classification “does not mean cellphones cause cancer,” said John Walls, vice president of public affairs for the CTIA, an international wireless telecommunications industry group based in the U.S. Walls questioned the limited evidence from statistical studies, where conclusions could be drawn "even though bias and other data flaws may be the basis for the results.”
A review of medical literature contains studies that both support and refute an association between cell phone usage and cancer. The take home message from this report is that it would be prudent to limit the time you place a cell phone next to your ear. Use a hands-free Bluetooth® headset or use the text-messaging feature of your phone. According to government statistics, the incidence of gliomas in the U.S. is two to three per 100,000 adults. Even though this is an extremely small percentage, if it happens to you, it is 100%. Another way of looking at the risk is to compare it to the cancer risk from smoking, which is not only definite but also high.
See Also:
Cancer risk from smoking: new data
Smoking and breast cancer: new study points to increased risk
Smoking impacts teens' brains, UCLA study reports
UCLA researchers discover new method to fight deadly cancers
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