There has been a lot of speculation about a supposed link between cell phone use and brain tumors. Widespread media coverage on the brain tumor that killed attorney Johnnie Cochran and Senator Edward M. Kennedy's recent diagnosis with malignant glioma make it seem like brain cancer is on the rise. In fact, brain cancer is a relatively rare disease. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the incidence of brain cancer – the number of cases per 100,000 people – rose from 6 in 1975 to 7 in 1985, and then declined to 6.5 in 2005. In 2008, ACS projected that 20,000 individuals to be diagnosed with all forms of brain tumors, and approximately 13,000 people will die from it.
Small studies in Sweden, where the cell phone was developed, suggest there may be a link. But larger, more recent studies have shown no correlation between the rise in cell phone use and brain tumor incidence. Research into the issue continues, however. The European Interphone Study, coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, will combine investigations from 13 European Union countries on this subject. For now, the Food and Drug Administration Center for Devices and Radiological Health and the Federal Communications Commission offers the following advice to people concerned about a link between cell phone use and brain cancer:
“If there is a risk from these products — and at this point we do not know that there is — it is probably very small. But if you are concerned about avoiding even potential risks, you can take a few simple steps to minimize your exposure to radiofrequency energy (RF). Since time is a key factor in how much exposure a person receives, reducing the amount of time spent using a wireless phone will reduce RF exposure. If you must conduct extended conversations by wireless phone every day, you could place more distance between your body and the source of the RF, since the exposure level drops off dramatically with distance. For example, you could use a headset and carry the wireless phone away from your body or use a wireless phone connected to a remote antenna.”
In California, it is now a mandate that drivers use a hands-free device while talking on the phone. It seems this is also a prudent measure for any cell phone users concerned about the risk of brain cancer.