Do Cellphones Cause Cancer?: Understanding Cell Phone Radiation and Cancer

If you’re like the vast majority of people these days, your cell phone is not just your friend − it’s more like an appendage. A recent survey by phone maker Motorola revealed that people were so attached to their cell phones that in case of a fire, a majority of cell phone owners would abandon their cats rather than abandon their smartphones!

But then your smartphone has so much to offer. Besides using it for calling and texting, you can surf the Internet, use it as a personal organizer, game console, and take pictures and video with ever-increasing quality.

So is your cell phone really a friend, or is it actually your foe? And most importantly… can cell phones cause cancer?

Do Cellphones Cause Cancer?

Cell Phones and Cancer: What are the Risks?

Cell phones emit a form of electromagnetic field called radio frequency (RF) radiation. We have long been led to believe that this radiation is harmless because of the low power levels involved, and because it’s non-ionizing.

Unfortunately, this cell phone radiation has the ability to penetrate our bodies and cause untold damage.

Perhaps the biggest red flag is the World Heath Organization (WHO) classification. In 2011, the WHO finally took a position on the issue and classified cell phone radiation as a possible 2B carcinogen. True, the WHO did only classify cell phone radiation as a possible carcinogen, not a probable carcinogen.

But a growing number of experts believe this classification does not sufficiently protect the public. Then there are the thousands of peer-reviewed studies which support the claim that cellphones cause cancer.

Do Cellphones Cause Brain Cancer? Using Your Cell Phone a Half Hour Per Day Increases Your Risk of Brain Tumor By 40%

Thousands of studies link cell phone radiation to a long list of serious illnesses. But can cell phones cause brain cancer? Cell phone radiation exposure has been principally linked to two types of brain tumors − gliomas and acoustic neuromas.

Gliomas – a type of tumor that starts in the brain or spine are typically malignant and they are particularly deadly. Most people survive only 1 to 3 years after diagnosis of this kind of tumor.

Acoustic neuromas – though non-malignant (low-grade cancer), are in many cases life threatening given that they are an intracranial (within the skull) tumor.

The Interphone Study is the granddaddy of all the study findings into cell phone radiation and the safety of cellphones for humans. At a cost of $25 million, this is the largest study of cell phone use and tumor risk conducted to date. It found that “regular use of a cell phone by adults can significantly increase the risk of gliomas by 40% with 1640 hours or more of use.” This equates to about 30 minutes per day over ten years.

There are now many studies which link cell phone radiation exposures with gliomas and acoustic neuromas. The Hardell Research Group in Sweden are widely regarded as producing some of the highest quality studies on this question. They have found “a consistent pattern of increased risk for glioma and acoustic neuroma associated with use of wireless phones.”

A 2013 study carried out in the UK on 790,000 middle aged women found that, “women who used cell phones for ten or more years were two-and-a-half times more likely to develop an acoustic neuroma.” Their risk of acoustic neuroma increased with the number of years they used cell phones.

Can Cell Phones Cause Breast Cancer and Other Cancers?

There have been multiple studies into whether or not cell phones cause cancer. In addition to brain cancer, these studies link cell phone radiation exposure to many other types of cancer, including:

• Cancer of the Pituitary Gland
• Thyroid Cancer
• Melanoma Risk
• Stem Cell Cancer
• Parotid Malignant Tumors
• Leukemia
• Lymph Node Cancer
• Multifocal Breast Cancer
• Eye Cancer

Cell Phone Radiation and Your DNA

Do cell phones cause cancer? One of the biggest misunderstandings about radiation from cell phones is that it cannot damage DNA. Wrong! There are many studies linking cell phone radiation exposures to different types of DNA damage.

In a landmark study carried out by Professor Lai at the University of Washington in the mid 1990s, it was established that RF radiation exposures can cause DNA single strand breaks. Subsequent studies have found single and double-strand DNA breaks. Interestingly, Dr. Lai wasn’t investigating if cell phones cause cancer. He was looking at the effect of nonionizing microwave radiation on rats − which just happens to be the same type of radiation emitted by cell phones.

Then there are the studies on the micronuclei. A Brazilian study found that mobile phone radiation type exposures “during pregnancy leads to an increase in erythrocytes micronuclei incidence in rat offspring.” Several other studies have found increased rates of micronuclei in the body following exposures to radio frequency (RF) radiation. This is important because micronuclei proliferation indicates a type of DNA damage strongly associated with cancer.

Given the hundreds of studies that have been carried out on this question, clearly there is no doubt that cell phone radiation can alter the genetic material of your cells. This is significant because one way cancer and other diseases are believed to develop is when the DNA in a cell becomes damaged.

Scientists from Around the World Voice Concerns Over Cell Phone Use

In May 2015, 190 scientists from 39 nations submitted an appeal to the United Nations, UN member states, and the World Health Organization (WHO). The scientists requested they adopt more protective exposure guidelines for electromagnetic fields (EMF) and wireless technology in the face of increasing evidence of risk. These exposures are a rapidly growing form of national and worldwide environmental pollution.

The “International EMF Scientist Appeal” asked the Secretary General and UN affiliated bodies to encourage precautionary measures, to limit EMF exposures, and to educate the public about health risks – particularly to children and pregnant women.

Cell Phone Radiation Protection Tips

The most effective method of protection from cell phone radiation is complete avoidance. If you’re willing to accept that your cell phone can cause cancer, but aren’t ready to give it up… your best bet is to incorporate these precautionary steps into your daily routine:

• Limit cell phone calls to those that are absolutely necessary
• Avoid making or receiving calls in places with bad reception
• Put your phone on airplane mode when you are not using its wireless functions
• Avoid carrying your cell phone in your pocket or anywhere on your body when it’s switched on
• Use earphones, preferably an airtube headset, so you won’t have to put your cell phone close to your head (Note: Do NOT use a Bluetooth headset which also emits radiation)
• Do not take your cell phone into your bedroom at night. If you must, keep it in airplane mode and as far from your head as possible
• Choose to text instead of calling whenever possible
• If a long conversation is in place, opt to meet the person directly or call on a land line

What are your thoughts? Does cell phone radiation cause cancer? At TTAC, our mission is to help you live your life without the threat of cancer. Go here to be notified each week about new, cutting-edge information that impacts your health.