Cancer Expert Warns About Cell Phone Use

The head of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute is warning his staff to limit cell phone use. Ronald B. Herberman, M.D., says he wants to "err on the side of being safe" from cancer. Many studies have found no link between cell phone use and cancer. Dr. Herberman says he is basing his action on unpublished data from research that is not complete. He says children should use cell phones only for emergencies. He urges adults to keep the phone away from the head and use the speaker phone or a wireless headset. The Associated Press wrote about Dr. Herberman's memo July 24.

What Is the Doctor's Reaction?

So many things we do and are exposed to might possibly cause cancer. Yes, cell phones may be one of them. But how should you respond each time a new cancer risk possibility arises?

At this time, the evidence about cell phone use and cancer is not conclusive. There is no definitive advice. Therefore, experts will continue to debate how much you should use your cell phone and whether even talking on it all day long increases your cancer risk.

It's quite remarkable how differently each of us views risks to our health. For instance, some people who will never travel by plane because of fear of a crash don't wear a seat belt when riding in a car.

Some experts strongly believe that the medical evidence will show that talking on a cell phone for many hours each day over a long term is harmful. These are thoughtful, well qualified scientists who have reached this conclusion.

These experts are especially concerned about cell phone use in children. Here are the essential elements of their position:

• Cell and wireless phones give off electromagnetic radiation.
• Electromagnetic fields have the potential to penetrate more deeply into children's brains than into adults' brains.
• The brains of younger children are smaller, developing more rapidly, and have softer tissue.
• Electromagnetic radiation is more likely to have greater affects on softer, smaller, developing brains.

These statements about electromagnetic fields are likely true. However, medical studies done so far don't show that the amounts of radiation emitted by cell phones cause harm.