Use cell phones only in emergencies

The risk for getting brain tumors is five times higher among young people who use cell phones, according to researchers at the University Hospital in Orebro, Sweden.

The study raises concerns that the extensive use of cell phones among children and teenagers today may lead to an epidemic of brain cancer in later life.

The research report was presented to an international conference on mobile phones and health held at the Royal Society in London and sponsored by the UK’s Radiation Research Trust.

Other significant findings contained in the report are:

* Those who start using cell phones at an earlier age are likely to have higher risk of developing a particular tumor called glioma. For those who start before age 20, the risk was 5 times more.

* Home cordless phones showed almost the same level of risk: young people who used cordless phones had 4 times as much risk.

* Those who used cell phones before age 20 also had 5 times the risk of developing an acoustic neuroma.

* Those who started using mobile phones after age 20 only had 1.5 times the risk of contracting glioma and 2 times the risk of getting acoustic neuroma.

Glioma refers to a cancer affecting the glial cells, which are part of the support structure for the central nervous system. Cancer research studies indicate that gliomas account for half of all primary tumors of the brain.

Acoustic neuromas are benign tumors. Although these tumors are not cancerous, the growths damage the auditory nerve in the ear and can lead to deafness.

The researchers said a possible explanation may be that the brains and nervous systems in young people, especially those under 16 years old, are still developing. Radiation those from cell phones is able to penetrate into deeper parts of their brains because young people have smaller heads and their skull bones are thinner.

Other researchers dispute the findings. They point out that cell phones have not been around long enough to be able to generate accurate tests results on their risks.

The researchers acknowledge the difficulty in studying the radiation risks from cell phones because cancers develop over a long period of time. However, they stress that their findings are warning signs that should concern researchers.

It may be possible that the dangers to young people below 20 years old may be greater than the current results. If there are already alarming signs after only a few years of use, the damage could be even greater after using the devices for a longer period.

In adults, current research shows there is greater likelihood of developing gliomas and acoustic neuromas after 10 years of using cell phones. There is not yet enough data on how 10-years use would affect young people.

Safety Tip:

* For younger people, especially those under 12, use cell phones only in emergencies.

* Use headsets or hands-free devices.