Cell Phones & Tumors

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Has there been any research done, that says that cell phones cause brain tumors?

Or is this just a rumor?

Thanks

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Older cell phones were thought to be responsible for tumors, just like they used to mess with medical electronics. The newer generations are considered safe.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.

This was a subject on Larry King on CNN the other night. There were 3-4 neuro surgeons discussing it. There is increasing evidence that cell phones can be linked to brain tumors, parotid gland tumors, and acoustic neuromas. Doctors and Journalist use ear plugs, so if that doesn't tell you something. Go to CNN.com/larryking and they may have more info.

It's not the older model phones....it includes phones used today as well. There is increasing evidence of this. Johnny Cochran, OJ simpson attorney, his wife said Johnny lived on his cell phone....he died at an early age with a tumor near where he used his phone.

There will be more studies but the surgeons can't say right now that they are safe or not safe. The surgeons are recommending ear pieces and physicians and news journalist say they use them because of the increased risk. The phones use a microwave non-ionizing radiation, they heat the brain and thus can cause tumors. They are especially concerned about children using them at such an early age.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.

BTW,

Read the directions in your cell phone box. It is recommended that the phone be held approx 2 inches away from your ear.....also recommends that the phone be kept in a case and not in your pocket.

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Specializes in neuro, ICU/CCU, tropical medicine.
There is increasing evidence that cell phones can be linked to brain tumors, parotid gland tumors, and acoustic neuromas.

I've read the abstracts of some of those studies and as far as I can tell, the associations between cell phone use and malignancies do not demonstrate a causal relationship.

I didn't look, but I'll bet there is a much stronger and probably causal relationship between cell phone use and motor vehicle accidents.

Would either of these associations change peoples' behavior anyway?

Let's sue the cell phone manuafacturers!

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Specializes in CMSRN.

Just to add. My step dad died in 1997 when cell phones were analog.

He had a malignant brain tumor. He died 6 months after diagnoses. IN the beginning, each time he used his cell phone he would have seizure. Needless to say my mother did not allow use of his phone nor the house phone.

He was diabetic and during the course of the 6 months, there was a news report that nutrasweet caused brain tumors in lab rats. She threw out everything that had nutrasweet in it after that too.

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I saw part of the Larry King show also. I wonder in 10-15 years what will be found.

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I've read the abstracts of some of those studies and as far as I can tell, the associations between cell phone use and malignancies do not demonstrate a causal relationship.

I didn't look, but I'll bet there is a much stronger and probably causal relationship between cell phone use and motor vehicle accidents.

Would either of these associations change peoples' behavior anyway?

Let's sue the cell phone manuafacturers!

As my psychology professor always drills into us "Correlation does not prove causation"

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Specializes in Critical Care, Capacity/Bed Management.

I strongly believe that cellular devices do not cause brain tumors.

It is a rumor and I have actually seen many reports published and they really do not match up quickly. You must also see if there is any bias in the research and then the question of how were these people choosen.

If these devices are so dangerous as made to seem why are they on the market and why has the surgeon general not put a warning label on them?

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Specializes in neuro, ICU/CCU, tropical medicine.
As my psychology professor always drills into us "Correlation does not prove causation"

True, and even if there is a 'statistically significant" association, that doesn't necessarily mean it's clinically significant.

I did an Ovid search on the combination of the terms 'cell phone' and 'malignancy' or 'neoplasm' and came up with well over 100 papers written in the last 10 years. With that much research into the subject, and no causal relationship demonstrated (as far as I know), it's not something I would worry about or advise anyone else to be concerned about.

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True, and even if there is a 'statistically significant" association, that doesn't necessarily mean it's clinically significant.

I did an Ovid search on the combination of the terms 'cell phone' and 'malignancy' or 'neoplasm' and came up with well over 100 papers written in the last 10 years. With that much research into the subject, and no causal relationship demonstrated (as far as I know), it's not something I would worry about or advise anyone else to be concerned about.

:yeahthat:

Put me in the skeptic column too . . ..

steph

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Specializes in Telemetry, Case Management.

Cell phones cause cancer. And so does hair dye. And microwave ovens. And so does....whatever. There's ALWAYS something "they" say causes cancer. :smackingf:chair::weathercloudandrain

Smoking, asbestos, chronic chemical exposure, that I believe. The rest of it, not hardly.:rolleyes:

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