Cell Phones and Cancer Risk

Precaution is better than cure 

There seems to be clear evidence showing that cell phone radiation is linked to cancers based on Draft technical reports on cell phones and health concern released by the The National Toxicology Program(NTP).

Cell phones are known to emit a form of non-ionizing radiation (radiofrequency energy), from their antennas. Tissues nearest to the antenna can absorb this energy. It is known that ionizing radiation such as x-rays can increase cancer risk but there has not been substantial  nor consistent evidence to show that non-ionizing radiation has a similar effect.

The NTP (The National Toxicology Program (NTP) Chronic Carcinogenicity Studies of Cell Phone Radiofrequency Radiation) recently  released its Draft Technical Reports Peer Review on cell phones and health concerns based on 10 years of research.  

Highlights of the report as summarized by experts:

 1. Exposure to cell phone radiation led to an increase in certain types of tumors in the brain (gliomas) and the heart (schwannomas). 

2. There was an increase in tumors found in the adrenals, prostate, pancreas, pituitary, and liver.

3. There was an increase in glial cell hyperplasia of the brain, which is a precursor or precancerous state to the type of brain cancer – malignant glioma. 

4. Damage to DNA was found in both rats and mice involved in the study. DNA damage to the hippocampus (memory center) of the brain was identified in the male animals. 

5. There were heart changes or cardiomyopathy identified in male rats.

6. Exposure during pregnancy affected the rat pups with lower survival rates and lower birth weights. 

7.Male animals had an increased incidence of benign heart, brain, and prostate tumors. 

8. Female animals had an increased incidence of benign brain tumors.

Undoubtedly, more research is needed to validate these findings, it however is important that these pointers help raise some awareness on the risks faced with the use of this devices and help individuals and families take the necessary precautions with the hope of avoiding months or years of tending to a sick loved one in the hospital.

Experts recommend reducing and maintaining a distance from the device, especially with children. Avoid sleeping with your phone close to your head. Use speakers, wired headsets and keep the phone away from your body. Unplug your wireless routers at night or use other wired technology. Consider the use electromagnetic radiation protective clothing, bedding and devices if possible.

Medic-ALL

Cell Phone Addiction: A Trend on the Rise

Medic-ALL (01:09:2014) Featured post:

The word "addiction" is commonly associated with alcohol and drugs, but new studies by researchers in Baylor University, Texas, U.S.A suggests a new form of dependence is becoming of increasing concern- cell phone addiction. The researchers say addiction to cellphones has become a “realistic possibility” in response to data finding female college students spend an average of 10 hours per day on their electronic devices, and men spending nearly eight.

A Baylor University study on cellphone activity published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictionsfinds that approximately 60 percent of college students admit they may be addicted to their phone. Many respondents said they feel agitated when it’s not in their sight and feel their cellphone is “both freeing and enslaving at the same time.”

“That’s astounding,” said researcher James Roberts, Ph.D., The Ben H. Williams Professor of Marketing in Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business. “As cellphone functions increase, addictions to this seemingly indispensable piece of technology become an increasingly realistic possibility.”

The Baylor study conducted from surveying 164 college students and examining 24 cellphone activities and measuring time spent on the devices. Pinterest and Instagram apps were specifically associated with addiction to one’s phone. Respondents overall reported spending the most significant portion of their time texting, with that taking up an average of 94.6 minutes each day. Emails were second at 48.5 minutes, Facebook at 38.6 minutes, browsing the Internet at 34.4 minutes and iPod usage at 26.9 minutes on average each day.

Study participants responded to questions such as: “I get agitated when my cellphone is not in sight” and “I find that I am spending more and more time on my cellphone” to measure the intensity of their addiction.

Men were found to spend less time on their phones than women but the study notes males “are not immune to the allure of social media.”

The study notes instances of cellphone use disrupting classrooms and cheating some face-to-face interaction.

“Cellphones may wind up being an escape mechanism from their classrooms. For some, cellphones in class may provide a way to cheat,” Roberts said. “We need to identify the activities that push cellphone use from being a helpful tool to one that undermines our well-being and that of others.”

Sources: CBS Houston, Medical News Today