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| Ilustration |
A major study has suggested there is a link between mobile phones and
cancer. The report is an in-depth peer reviewed study conducted by the US
government and represents a significant development in long-running controversy
over how mobile phones impact on users' health.
Researchers from the National Toxicology Program exposed male rats to the
type of radio frequencies which are commonly emitted by mobile phones.
Following this exposure, "low incidences" of two types of tumours
were found in the animals in both the brain and the heart. Tumours were not
found in rats not exposed to the frequencies.
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| Phone Effect |
More than 2,500 rats were experimented on at various intervals over a two
year period for the study.
In a report released alongside the study, the researchers said: "Given
the widespread global usage of mobile communications among users of all ages,
even a very small increase in the incidence of disease resulting from exposure
to [radio-frequency radiation] could have broad implications for public
health.”
The study is thought to be one of the largest and most in-depth analyses of
mobile phones and cancers, costing the US government $25 million to carry out
over the course of several years.
Ron Melnick, a former National Toxicology Program researcher who reviewed
the results told the Wall Street Journal: "Where people were saying
there's no risk, I think this ends that kind of statement."
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The possible connection between cellphones and cancer is controversial.
Many years' worth of studies on cellphones and cancer have yielded conflicting
results. Currently, there's no consensus about the degree of cancer risk — if
any — posed by cellphone use.
The primary concern with cellphones and cancer seems to be the development
of brain tumors associated with cellphone use. Some research suggests a slight
increase in the rate of brain tumors since the 1970s, but cellphones weren't in
use during the 1970s. Instead, the subtle increases are more likely related to
other factors — such as increased access to medical care and improvements in
diagnostic imaging.
So what have researchers learned about cellphones and cancer? Here's an
overview of various studies:
- In one
study that followed more than 420,000 cellphone users over a 20-year
period, researchers found no evidence of a link between cellphones and
brain tumors.
- Another
study found an association between cellphones and cancer of the salivary
glands. However, only a small number of study participants had malignant
tumors.
- Another
study suggested a possible increased risk of glioma — a specific type of
brain tumor — for the heaviest cellphone users, but no increase in brain
tumor risk overall.
After evaluating several studies on the possibility of a connection between
cellphones and glioma and a noncancerous brain tumor known as acoustic neuroma,
members of the International Agency for Research on Cancer — part of the World
Health Organization — agreed that there's limited evidence that cellphone
radiation is a cancer-causing agent (carcinogenic). As a result, the group
classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to
people.
Still, a series of recent studies can't tell the entire story. It often
takes many years between the use of a new cancer-causing agent — such as tobacco
— and the observation of an increase in cancer rates. At this point, it's
possible that too little time has passed to detect an increase in cancer rates
directly attributable to cellphone use.
The bottom line? For now, no one knows if cellphones are capable of causing
cancer. Although long-term studies are ongoing, to date there's no convincing
evidence that cellphone use increases the risk of cancer. If you're concerned
about the possible link between cellphones and cancer, consider limiting your use
of cellphones — or use a speaker or hands-free device that places the cellphone
antenna, which is typically in the cellphone itself, away from your head.
Original Articles:
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/can-your-phone-give-you-cancer-new-study-says-it-could-a7051516.html#gallery
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/cell-phones-and-cancer/faq-20057798
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