WHO: Can cell phone use increase possible cancer risk?
Source: CNN
May 31, 2011 by Danielle Dellorto
Can Cell Phone Use Increase Possible Cancer Risk?
The possible connection of cell phone usage and cancer is highly controversial. There have been many years of studies regarding cancer and cell phones yielding conflicting results. At this current time, there’s no definitive consensus regarding the degree of cancer risk, if any at all, posed by using cell phones.
Primary Concerns
One of the biggest controversies relating to cell phones and cancer would seem to be possibility of developing brain tumors. There has been some research suggesting slight increases in brain tumor rates since the 1970s. However, cell phones were not in use during this time. Therefore, these subtle increases are more likely related to several other factors. This could include improvements in diagnostic testing and increased public access to medical care.
Overview of Various Studies
One recently completed research project followed almost half a million cell phone users over a twenty year period of time. The end result was that researchers found no evidence whatsoever of a link between brain tumors and using cell phones. Another unassociated study suggested a slight possible increased risk of glioma for the heaviest cell phone users. However, there was no increase concerning brain tumor risk overall.
The WHO Report
Upon evaluating a series of studies connecting cell phone use and glioma, – a noncancerous brain tumor – some members of the World Health Organization came to agreement that there may be a limited amount of evidence cell phone radiation can be carcinogenic. As a result of this, they classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields to possibly be a low-risk health concern.