Thursday 17 March 2011

Do Cell Phones Cause Brain Cancer ?

A part of me wishes we definitively knew the answer to this question simply to get people to refrain from talking on their cell phones while driving. Nothing is more frustrating on the road than seeing bad driving practices only to see the driver blabbing on a phone. In addition, we know that driving while talking on a mobile phone is equivalent to driving with an illegal blood alcohol level with regards to reaction time and focus on the road. People have been killed in car accidents by someone talking on a phone. I was in a car accident about 3 years ago when I was rear-ended by a woman talking on her cell phone. It is now illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving in California and other states are catching on as well. We also know that a headset or speaker phone does not reduce the risk of an accident. But I digress, we were supposed to be talking about brain cancer.
According to the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association Americans spent 2.2 trillion minutes on their cell phones in 2008 which was a 100 billion minute increase from the previous year. Cell phones are becoming more and more advanced in their capabilities and at the same time, increasing their radio frequency output. A few studies have shown an increase in brain tumors on the same side of the head where the user holds the phone, but other studies have shown no association.


A 2009 study looked at 23 studies of 38,000 people and found no connection between cell phone use and brain tumors. However, there was a subset analysis of eight studies which showed a 10-30% increase in the risk of tumors from long-term use compared to people who rarely used a cell phone.
The European Environment Agency has stepped up and warned against the use of mobile phones in children because they have their entire lives ahead of them with exposure to radio frequencies and radiation. John Bucher, the associate director of the National Toxicology Program, testified before the Senate's Health and Human Services Committee. He stated that cell phone radiation penetrates deeper into a child's brain because of the configuration of a young, growing skull.
Professor Lennart Hardell is a Swedish researcher who is at the leading edge of cell phone radiation and brain cancer risk research. He has found an increased risk of brain tumors from 10 or more years of mobile phone use. Several studies of his have been published with the following key findings:

  • For every 100 hours of cell phone use, the risk of brain cancer increases by 5%. For every year of use, the risk of brain cancer increases by 8%.
  • After 10 or more years of digital cell phone use, there was a 280% increased risk of brain cancer.
  • For digital cell phone users who were teenagers or younger when they first started using mobile phones, there was a 420% increased risk of brain cancer.

Why is there conflicting evidence? Is there special interest involved and who funded the studies in question? Dr. Hardell's research is very compelling and I tend to trust European studies over American studies because there is usually less of a money-trail in Europe. There is a lot of money to be made on cell phone use and we live in a country where the bottom line means everything.




In addition, why is it clearly stated in the fine print of cell phone manuals to use caution regarding radio frequencies and warnings about keeping the phone as far away from the body as possible? Radiation decreases as the square of the distance from the phone. The farther the phone is from your body, the less radiation exposure. One example is the Blackberry 8300 which clearly states: "When using any data feature of the Blackberry device, with or without a USB cable, keep the device at least.98 inches from your body and it should not be worn or carried on the body." This is clear enough for me that the cell phone manufacturers know the potential dangers of radiation.
Dr. Devra Lee Davis is the director of the Center for Environmental Oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and author of the book Disconnect: The Truth About Cell Phone Radiation, What the Industry Has Done to Hide it, and How to Protect Your Family. She has testified before congress about this subject and has published numerous articles as well. She recommends the following to reduce your risk:

  • Put your phone in the "flight" or "off-line" mode when carrying, storing, or charging it.  This stops the electromagnetic emissions.
  • Avoid carrying your cell phone on your body or storing it near your body at night.
  • Use a wired headset (not Bluetooth!) or the speaker-phone mode to keep the phone as far from your body as possible while talking.
  • Switch sides of your head regularly while talking.
  • Use text messaging instead of talking.
  • Choose a device with the lowest SAR possible.  SAR stands for specific absorption rate, a measure of the strength of electromagnetic fields.
  • Children should only use cell phones near their heads for emergencies.  Texting away from the body is safer for children than talking on a cell phone.
  • Avoid using the phone while the signal is weak or when moving at high speeds as in a car or train.  This increases the power to the phone as it tries to stay connected.

Until more research is done that is not funded by the phone industry I will treat this as if cell phone radiation is in fact detrimental to my health. It is better to be safe than sorry and the studies that show an increased risk of brain tumors are simply too compelling to ignore. Use the simple steps outlined in this article and choose a phone with a low SAR to protect yourself from potential damage.
Dr. Nikolas Hedberg is a holistic physician specializing in thyroid disorders, hormone imbalances, allergies, chronic fatigue, digestive disorders and fibromyalgia. His truly unique and innovative practice is in Asheville, NC where patients travel from all over the world to seek his services. Dr. Hedberg uses state-of-the-art scientific laboratory diagnostic testing to uncover the underlying causes of disease. He utilizes a variety of natural medicines, nutrition and lifestyle modifications to correct the imbalances found on testing. His goal with each patient is to find the underlying cause, correct it without harmful drugs and teach each patient how to maintain an optimal state of health and well-being.

Coffee, Tea, Caffeine and Brain Cancer Risk

The information in this column is intended for informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice or recommendations by the author. Please consult with your physician before making any lifestyle or medication changes, or if you have any other concerns regarding your health.
Coffee and tea are widely enjoyed around the world, and both have been the subject of numerous health claims (most of them unproven). Tea, and green tea in particular, has been the focus of extensive research, with many prior studies suggesting that tea may improve cardiovascular health and, to a much lesser extent, may decrease the risk of some cancers. Much of the published research regarding coffee has, on the other hand, been focused on trying to disprove purported links between coffee consumption and a potential increase in the risk of some cancers. (Fortunately, the overwhelming majority of such research has not identified a strong link between moderate coffee consumption and an increased risk of cancer.)


The European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study is a huge ongoing prospective multinational public health study, and several of this enormous study's preliminary results have already been published. The EPIC study is focused on potential links between diet, nutritional status, lifestyle, and environmental factors and the incidence of cancer (among other chronic diseases). (EPIC is one of the largest studies of diet and health ever undertaken, and has already recruited 520,000 research volunteers in Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.) Now, a new update from this historic public health study suggests that increased coffee and tea consumption may be associated with a decreased incidence of malignant brain tumors. This new update from the EPIC study appears in the current issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Following an average duration of follow-up of nearly 9 years, 588 new cases of brain tumors were diagnosed among the EPIC research volunteers. Gliomas, the most common and most aggressive type of brain tumors that occur in adults, were found to be 34 percent less common among people who drank at least 100 milliliters (3.4 ounces) of coffee or tea per day. (Although not statistically significant, this association was also noted to be stronger in men, with a 41 percent lower risk of gliomas in men, as compared to a 26 percent reduction in glioma incidence in women.)



Although it is not clear what causes gliomas of the brain, prior public health studies have at least suggested a link between glioma brain tumors and chronic occupational exposure to high-intensity electrical and magnetic fields, and to rubber and plastics manufacturing. (As I discuss in "A Cancer Prevention Guide for the Human Race, there is also some data linking prolonged cell phone use with an increased incidence of gliomas and other brain tumors.)
Other smaller public health studies have also identified an apparent link between increased caffeine intake and a decreased incidence of gliomas, and there is laboratory evidence available suggesting that caffeine may reduce the growth of malignant glioma cells growing in culture dishes. Thus, these new findings from the giant EPIC study further suggest the possibility that coffee, tea, and other caffeinated beverages might be able to reduce the risk of gliomas of the brain.

Brain Tumor Signs and Symptoms


The symptoms of brain tumors depend on their extent and place in the brain. Symptoms commonly are causing damage to vital tissue and pressure on the brain as the tumor grows within the partial space in the skull.

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of brain tumors depend on their extent and place in the brain. Symptoms commonly are causing damage to vital tissue and pressure on the brain as the tumor grows within the partial space in the skull.




They may be caused by swelling and an increase of fluid around the tumor, a condition called edema. Symptoms also may be due to hydrocephalus, which occurs when the tumor blocks the flow of cerebrospinal fluid and causes a build-up in the ventricles. If a brain tumor grows very leisurely, its symptoms may not come into view for some time.


The most common symptoms of brain tumors include:
  • Unusual eye actions or changes in vision
  • Changes in behavior or memory
  • Changes in communication
  • Headaches that tend to be shoddier in the morning and ease during the day
  • Seizures or convulsions
  • Nausea or queasiness
  • Weakness or loss of sensitivity in the arms or legs
  • Stumbling or lack of coordination in walking

These symptoms may be caused by brain tumors or by other troubles. Analytic tests can be performed to verify if the reason of your symptoms is a brain tumor and if it is a main or secondary one.




Knowledge Is Power For Parents Of Children With Brain Cancer Or Spinal Cord Tumors

As parents, the ultimate dream we have for our children is that their childhoods will be happy ones, and they will grow up to lead long and healthy lives. Yet, every day, across America, there will be nine families whose dreams will be shattered when they learn that their child has a spinal cord tumor or some form of brain cancer. And, by the end of the year, over 3,000 families will have faced that same moment; when time stood still, the world blurred, and their lives changed forever.
From the moment their child is diagnosed, parents embark on a journey that will challenge every aspect of their being - from intellectual and physical, to mental, emotional and spiritual. It is essential that these parents have a strong support network, with family and friends taking on a vital role in that network. Along with that key component, parents also need a structured system that can provide resources to help them navigate the many challenges they will face, and assist them in making the best possible decisions for their child's health and well-being.

Once past the initial shock of the diagnosis, parents begin searching for answers to the flood of questions rushing through their minds. Knowledge is power, and early education about this disease can provide a lifeline in these dark waters.
There are several good sources for information on pediatric brain tumors and brain cancer, all of which can provide resources for education, assistance and support--
• Family doctors and pediatricians;
• Children's hospitals and cancer treatment facilities; and
• Nonprofit organizations focused on pediatric brain cancer.



Here are just a few examples of what a parent might find within the FAQ sections of these organizations:
Q: What are the causes of pediatric brain cancer and spinal cord tumors?
A: There are many different kinds of pediatric brain cancer, and their precise causes are still unknown, although research programs are making advancements towards understanding the causes, as well as improving treatments.
Q: What is the prognosis for most young patients with this disease?
A: Current statistics show that one in three patients will survive no more than five years. However, thanks to the progress that has been made in research over the past twenty years, there has been a significant decline in the overall cancer death rates, and it is estimated that there are 25,000 brain tumor survivors in the U.S. today.
Q: What are the treatment options for a child with a brain tumor or brain cancer?
A: Treatment of brain or spinal cord tumors includes surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, depending on the type, rate of growth and location of tumors. It usually begins with surgical resection to remove all or part of the tumor. Although complete removal of the tumor (gross total resection) is often the treatment of choice, partial removal of the tumor will occasionally relieve a child's symptoms.
For parents who find themselves facing this life-altering journey, help is available in many forms, and from several well-respected organizations. Whether the need involves education about this dreadful disease, finding sources for medical or financial assistance, or simply connecting with others in similar situations, the resources are available. Reaching out to one of these organizations can often make the difference in how this journey is traveled-by the parents, and by the patient.

Radiation and Brain Cancer In Children and Youngs

Children who are affected by exposure to radiation therapy before the age of five known to have an increased risk for tumors in the brain or central nervous system a few years later. Data were obtained from studies of children who survive childhood cancer. Types of nerve tumors are often found in children are gliomas and meningiomas, which are generally found in the brain and other parts.










About 1% of total cancer patients age children who are able to survive in the intervening years known to be affected by tumor on her nervous system if they are exposed to radiation. The highest risks for a second cancer (cancer of the nervous system) for children who undergo radiation therapy at very young ages have a chance to develop into brain cancer later in life.
A study involving 14 361 patients with cancer at the age of the children who survive after five years was released from cancer, 116 of them children suffering from cancer a few years later the nerve. A total of 40 people suffering from glooms of which nine years ago after the first cancer free at age children and 66 of them suffering from cancer lapse 17 years after the first was declared cured of cancer at the age of the children.
Healing with the way radiation is known to have a risk up to six times more to cause the occurrence of gloom and ten times as much to get meningioma. Risk of cancer of the nerves will increase along with increasing doses of radiation used for healing from cancer therapy that suffers first.