Many Studies Point to Cell Phone Cancer Risks Raised by Recent Warning from Pittsburgh Cancer Institute

When Senator Ted Kennedy was diagnosed with a type of malignant brain tumor called glioma, people started talking about more than that news, as sad as it was. They also wondered about the link between cell phones, brain tumors and cancer. They weren't the only ones. There had been many studies conducted, all trying to determine the connection between cell phone use and cancer (see sources at end of article). More info about that is below. But what about the latest news?

The latest buzz and cell phone cancer news is centered on The Director of the Pittsburgh Cancer Center, Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, who recently added to the debate about cell phones and cancer risks when he warned his faculty and staff against using the phones frequently. He wanted them to actually limit their use. This didn't appear to be a cost-cutting move or an attempt to get staff to stop chatting on phones and pay attention to patients. No, Dr. Herberman's instructions seemed to be based on genuine concerns about the risk of cell phones causing cancer, even though studies are far from definitive about whether so-called cell phone cancer is real.

The doctor didn't seem willing to wait for more studies to come out. He sent out a memo to at least 3,000 of his staff, specifically directing them to keep the phone away from their heads because of possible brain cancer risks. Staff was also to keep the phones away from the heads of children and other patients. Children have developing brains, a potential reason for extra caution and care.

The connection between Senator Ted Kennedy, glioma, brain tumors, cell phones, cancer studies and The Pittsburgh Cancer Center warning

As mentioned above, Senator Ted Kennedy was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor after he had seizures and other symptoms. The type of brain cancer, glioma, has been the focus of many medical studies revolving around cell phones and cancer. Although results have differed, there are a fair number of doctors and medical researchers who've felt that the results were truly worrisome. They concluded that there could indeed be a significant and real risk of brain tumors for those using cell phones.

The bottom line? If Dr. Herberman is worried about the potential risk of cell phones, he is not alone. He isn't just some isolated doctor making headlines because he has cautioned his staff against using cell phones. Others have wondered about this before and researchers have been trying to conduct studies which prove that cell phones raise the risk of brain tumors and cancer.

Many aren't wiling to wait until medical studies prove that cell phones cause cancer. They think the time to act is now.

One reason why? Many parents, myself included, know teens who walk around with cell phones practically glued to their ears. Children and teens have brains which are still developing, a fact apparently pointed out by Dr. Herberman. The issue seems to be the electromagnetic radiation which comes from cell phones. Could they cause cell phone cancer, especially brain cancer?

As a parent, I'm not willing to wait. Maybe I'm reacting too soon. But I'm paying heed to this, Ted Kennedy's brain cancer and Dr. Herberman's warning. I'm going to be limiting my son's use of the cell phone. I don't expect to be very popular with him for the next few days. I'll take my chances.

Support for Dr. Herberman's warning about cell phones and cancer is by no means unanimous

There are plenty of people who disagree. Many studies and even the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) point to opposite conclusions. They indicate that the risk of getting cancer from cell phones is small. But when a director of the Pittsburgh Cancer Center cautions people against using cell phones, it is hard not to pay attention. Until I find out more, I want my son to limit his use of the phone. However, it is worth noting that a review of studies and information about cell phones and cancer studies is worth pursuing. Those studies are too numerous to describe in detail here.

What you need to know about cell phones, cancer and brain tumors

If cell phones can cause brain cancer, electromagnetic radiation may be the cause. Cell phones are often used by placing them next to the head, possibly allowing this radiation to increase the risk of cancer - most notably, brain cancer and tumors.

Here is what I'm doing for now. While continuing to read everything I can on the subject, I'm also erring on the side of caution and that seems to be what the director of the Pittsburgh Cancer Center is doing as well. At the same time, it is only fair to note that there aren't a lot of major centers issuing similar kinds of warnings. Also, opinions and the results of studies differ. However, unlike the videos which indicated that cell phones could make popcorn pop, there may be more potential for truth here. Cell phones may turn out to be linked to brain cancers, including rare glioma tumors like the one found in Senator Kennedy.

Sources
1. The Boston Globe, May 20, 2008, Globe Staff. Article: Senator Kennedy Diagnosed with Brain Tumor; Prognosis Seen as Uncertain
2. Glioma Brain Tumor: Senator Ted Kennedy -What Does it Mean?, Medicinenet.com, www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp
3. Studies about brain cell tumors and cell phone use from the American Journal of Epidemiology, summarized in Oxford Journals :aje.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/164/3/294
4.Pittsburgh Cancer Center Warns of Cell Phone Risks, ABC News (Borenstein and Yates), July 24, 2008: abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory