Mobile phones may cause cancer, experts say

Mobile phone studies suggest possible links to cancer, international experts say in new report.

/ istockphoto

(CBS/AP) Do mobile phones cause cancer? After reviewing details from dozens of studies, an international panel of experts says they might.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer issued a statement to that effect in Lyon, France, on Tuesday after a weeklong meeting. The experts reviewed possible links between cancer and the electromagnetic radiation associated with mobile phones (cellphones), microwaves, and radar.

The group gave cellphones a "2B" classification, meaning they are possibly carcinogenic in humans. Other substances given that designation include the pesticide DDT and gasoline engine exhaust.

Last year, a large study found no clear link between cellphones and cancer. But some advocacy groups said the study raised concerns because it hinted at a link between heavy phone use and glioma, a rare but often deadly brain tumor. The study was controversial because it began with people who already had cancer and asked them to recall how often they used their cellphones more than a decade ago.

In about 30 other studies done in Europe, New Zealand, and the U.S., patients with brain tumors have not reported using their cellphones more often than cancer-free people.

Because cellphones are so popular, it may be impossible for experts to compare cellphone users who develop brain tumors with people who shun the devices. A survey released last year showed that the number of cellphone subscribers worldwide has hit 5 billion. That's nearly three-quarters of the global population.

Since many cancerous tumors take decades to develop, experts say it's impossible to conclude that cellphones have no long-term health risks. The studies conducted so far haven't tracked people for longer than about a decade.

Cellphones signal nearby towers via radio frequency waves, a form of energy similar to FM radio waves and microwaves. But the radiation produced by cellphones cannot directly damage DNA and differs from stronger types of radiation like X-rays or ultraviolet light. At very high levels, radio frequency waves from cellphones can heat up body tissue, but that is not believed to damage human cells.

According to Cancer Research U.K., the only health danger firmly connected to cellphones is a higher risk of car accidents. The group recommends that children under 16 use cellphones only for essential calls because their brains and nervous systems are still developing.

A recent NIH study found that cellphone use can speed up brain activity, but it is unknown whether that has any dangerous health effects.

CNET has prepared a special report on cell phone radiation, in addition to an expert Q&A on possible health risks of cellphone use and compete ratings on cellphone radiation levels.

CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jon LaPook said that while the study is no reason to panic, there are some simple precautions people can take. For instance, he tells his own two kids not to use a cell phone when they're at home -- they can use the landline to make calls. Text-messaging is okay, and it's also possible to get earbuds or some other device that keeps the cellphone away from the face.

[Reality-Checker]

I had an inoperable brain tumor discovered in 1985. I started using a cell phone in 1990 heavily every day as part of my job. By 1995, I had headaches and rechecked my brain expecting the worst. It turned out my brain tumor was gone and the headaches were caused by A/c blowing directly on my face during my sleep causing my sinuses to become dissicated.

I still use cell phones heavily and sometimes carry three of them on me.

The whole premise of cell phone usage being linked with cancer traced its roots to users of portable UHF radios. The reality was that wireless radios were used in petroleum and chemical refineries where phone lines were hazardous to use, but the chemicals themselves were causing cancer in the employees.

Today, police officers still use those portable radios affixed to their uniforms right next to their own heads, and none of them have ever had cancer.

I have used protable cell phones for 21 years and have never had a health problem, and I do check my health more than average citizens.

[parisdakar]

No sh.. Shirlock. RF energy causes cancer. This is nature's way of saying that you shouldn't be using the cell phone so damm much.

[Phil_Waste]

Cell Phone Fix

How many times have you avoided a near accident because someone was talking or texting on their cell phone while driving and damn near killed you or your family? How many times has it been you talking or texting and nearly losing control of your vehicle?

Many cities, counties and states are passing laws against talking and texting while driving but does it really solve the problem? People are dying; men, women and children are losing their lives daily because of the actions of careless cell phone users. We can, however, fix the phones at the manufacturing level so they won't work while moving. Yes, I'm saying force the cell phone manufactures to make a simple change in cell phone software to connect the built-in GPS to shut off the phone when the cell phone is moving over 10 miles per hour.

Hands free phones built into cars would be exempt and could still be used while moving. No laws, no tickets, no cheating, no distraction, no ignoring safety. Problem solved, lives saved and yes a few people inconvenienced, but hey, too bad, pull over if it is that important and let the rest of us drive on our merry way.

In the last year there has been a 28% increase in auto accidents directly related to cell phone use while driving. How many deaths, injuries, property damage must occur before the cell phone companies fix the problem? Make the software change and the deaths will stop.

[__Matt__]

This is an excellently ornate way of saying "we have no idea." The stock response from CBS is to urge fear of the unknown. Thanks, news. Way to encourage the human condition.

Also, when Dr. LaPook's name was mentioned on air, it sounded like it ended with a "p." My mistaken perception seemed to fit the gravity of the story.

[elmgreen11]

Holding a microwave transceiver up to one's cranium is really stupid.

[Scimajor]

Why? .....because it's ..... (scarey word coming) ..... OMG RADIATION!!!! RUN AWAY!!!! Oh, hold on, the word radiation covers the entire electromagnetic spectrum including light.

What? Are you assuming it's bad because the same word is used to describe the operation of your microwave oven? Hey, my gas oven uses heat but that doesn't mean that I'm going to stop using my central heating system just because the same word is used to describe both things.

The fact is that there isn't one single peer reviewed study that shows a link (as mentioned obliquely in the article if you read it carefully). There are, in fact, peer reviewed studies that failed to show any link (also as mentioned in the article).

You have to love armchair scientists and "experts".

"some advocacy groups" So the advocacy groups are the "experts"? You've got to be kidding me!

"experts say it's impossible to conclude that cellphones have no long-term health risks". Yes, Captain Einsteins, it's impossible to prove a negative (go back to Scientific Method 101). It's also impossible to prove that second hand flatulence doesn't cause erectile dysfunction but as with the above report there isn't a shred of evidence supporting the link. Just to be safe we'd better outlaw flatulence though right? Either that or tattoo warning labels on people's buttocks at birth.

Sigh.

[slatep]

All the authorities should be banned from using words like "could, may, possibly, might, slight chance etc." until they have definitive proof their studies are 100% correct.

I may, could, might, possibly have the chance of being killed tomorrow by a jet airplane engine falling from the sky, but until I see that engine coming at me, I'm not going to worry about it.

[Bluhawk]

This and several other studies clearly suggest that there is a direct link between "international experts" and idiocy.

[farmmike]

A perfect example why it is called "the practice of medicine". There are only two true sciences, chemistry and physics since they can both be proven mathematically. All else, cell phones and cancer, is just speculation.

[daisy3410]

I got news for you, the signals from your tv are not only from the front of the tv. Are you sitting right next to the electrical power lines that are sending the signals to the tv? How far are you from the front of your computer? And a signal from a cell phone? How about the opposite electrical sines from the battery system in your car? How many x-rays can you have? cat scans, MRI's?
Truth be told, were all gonna die. Some from cell phones/cancer, some from texting while driving.

[stuwerb]

This is probably one of those things where you have to make >20 hours of cell calls per day for >50 years to have an elevated risk. Having said that, if one can use a land line or voip to make a call instead, then it might be better to do so (also might save some $$ depending on the plan).