Can Cell Phones Give You Cancer? New Research Strongly suggests it’s Possible
CBS 42 News
2008-07-24 17:00:00.0
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The director of the Pittsburgh Cancer Institute has gone where others in the scientific community have been hesitant to go. He says lives are at stake, that you are taking a risk every time you use your cell phone.
Texting or talking, cell phones are in nearly everyone's hands these days. But new research could make you think twice about using them.
Dr. Ronald Herberman of the Pittsburgh Cancer Institute said, “I would really hate to stand by and wait for an epidemic of brain tumors to occur before something is done about it.
Dr. Herberman issued a cell phone caution from scientists from around the world as they looked at a yet to be released study of 9,000 cell phone users worldwide.
“There are actually more than 14 studies that have been published that say in people who have used cell phones for ten years or longer, there's a doubled risk of certain tumors of the brain and of the hearing nerve," said Dr. Devra Davis, Director of Environmental Oncology at the Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.
These doctors are now pushing for more research and critical cooperation from the cell phone industry.
"If you want to have enough sick or dead people before take action to prevent harm, that's what we did with tobacco isn't it."
Dr. Davis says recent studies show children are most at risk because their skulls are not fully developed until age 17.
"The cell signal gets most deeply into the brain of a five year old. Now you wouldn't microwave your child's head why would you allow them to have the signal of the cell phone into your brain," said Davis.
The physicians say the only way to fully know the possible cancer risk is to compare cell phone user records, and they would have to find a way to legally get at that data.
The American Cancer Society and the cell phone industry say the move lacks scientific fact. But while the advisory comes out of the Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, it's the product of scientists here, in Europe and in Canada who say they can't just stand by and wait to see if people get sick and die.
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