Is there a Correlation Between Cell Phone Use and Brain Tumors?
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In September of 2008, a hearing was held by the U.S. Congressional Subcommittee on Domestic Policy to discuss scientific research regarding cell phone use and brain tumors. During the proceedings a woman testified that her husband, who had used his cell phone for roughly 30 hours per month, was diagnosed with a brain tumor on the "cell phone" side of his head which she believed was caused by his cell phone use. She expressed deep regret for not throwing the phone "in the garbage" as she had many times threatened to do. The idea that there may be a link between wireless devices and tumors has become increasingly worrisome to cell phone users, as more research is being conducted.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has previously stated that while mobile phones do emit electromagnetic radiation (EMR), the amount of radiation is similar to that released by other common household appliances, such as television sets and microwave ovens, and does not pose a measurable health risk.
However, a study published in the international journal Epidemiology, found that cell phone use for 10 years or more may quadruple an user's risk of developing a rare, non-cancerous brain tumor, acoustic neuroma. These tumors typically affect the auditory nerve (which connects the ear to the brain) and grow slowly over a period of years before they are diagnosed.
Signs and symptoms of acoustic neuromas include gradual hearing loss which is usually more distinct on one side, tinnitus or ringing in the ear, dizziness, loss of balance, and facial numbness or tingling. An acoustic neuroma may (in rare cases) compress the brainstem which can be life-threatening.
As this research was sponsored by the World Health Organization, it has renewed concerns about cell phone safety. This 2004 study (which based their findings on analog phone use) and fifteen others were reviewed by researchers at University Hospital in Sweden, and it was concluded that mobile phone use for at least ten years (more than likely) increases the risk for two different types of brain tumors, acoustic neuroma and glioma.
The study team looked at mobile phone use and the proportion of brain cancers and concluded: "for both acoustic neuroma and glioma.overall risk was increased in the whole group, but significantly increased for ipsilateral exposure (tumors on the same side of the brain as for cell phone use)."
The research found that the risk of glioma increased significantly per year of mobile phone use. A glioma is a tumor of the central nervous system that originates from the glial cells. The brain is the area most commonly affected, but gliomas can also be found in the spinal cord, optic nerve or any other part of the central nervous system.
Gliomas can be non-cancerous or malignant (cancerous), and symptoms of gliomas depend on which part of the central nervous system is affected. A brain glioma can produce headaches, nausea, vomiting, and seizures, a glioma of the optic nerve can cause visual loss, and gliomas of the spinal cord may cause pain, weakness or numbness in the extremities.
Research into the correlation between cell phone use and tumors is limited, but current results are troubling. Until there is a definitive scientific conclusion that cell phones are safe, all users would be wise to limit cell phone use or install an EMR intervention device on your cell phone. These come in the form of small shields that attach to your phone and inhibit the radiation emitted. For more information and mobile phone protection devices (mobile phone shield) go to Mobile Phone Website
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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