Cell Phones and AN's - a new study - very concerning

[FlyersFan68]

I don't blame cell phones or anyhting else for my AN but genetics. I've used cell phones in the past on my left side and AN was right sided. I've read studies trying to link loud music to AN's but I was a DJ for years and used headphones on the left side yet AN right sided. BTW, I have three friends who are still dj's to this day and don't have AN's (I think). The cell phones that were initially accused were the early bag phones and the much bulkier handhelds. Don't act like you don't remember. You're not alone and you're not old. The effects of low dose radiation doesn't happen overnight. Constant low doses resulting in DNA breakage happen gradually over many years hence the controversy. If cell phones caused AN's there would be an epidemic today. I don't believe that cell phones are completely safe either. Something so small with incredible power must have side effects IMO. When my son was 9 he asked for a cell phone and I said "no way". He will be 11 soon and recently asked again. He never needed or missed one between ages 9-11 and he realizes this through his own experience. It's just not a neccesity especially when everyone else around him carries one. Science states that the human brain fully develops by age 12 so I guess he'll get one soon enough. I don't have one either and don't miss it or even think about it one bit. People that use cell phones for work really need them so there's no choice. I don't think using a cell phone a few times a day for no longer than 10 minutes is a big deal but I have a problem with people using them for hours at a time on a daily basis month after month year after year (especially children). I've also read articles where the wireless home phones are just as dangerous. I'm glad I don't own one because I'm surrounded by enough radiation between my wireless computer, wireless x-box, wireless house phones and everyone else's wireless crap.

[Dog Lover]

My AN was on my left side and that's the ear that I always used to talk on any phone - cell phone included. So, I asked my surgeon about it at my first visit. He said, my AN was not caused by cell phone usage. I choose to believe that. (And although I can still hear out of my left ear, I hear better out of my right so I switched my phone to that ear. Boy did THAT take some time to get used to. There are still times when I automatically hold the phone to my AN ear and then realize that I need to switch to hear them better.  )

[Esperanza]

With respect, this is a review rather than a new study and whilst of interest as he is an eminient specialist; really says nothing more than a swedish review concluded in 2007.  Although it is good to have a consensus of opinion as to what constitutes risk, further and extensive good quality research needs to be undertaken.
I am also one of those who AN is on the opposite side to my favoured phone ear. 

[EJTampa]

Right side AN and right side cell phone user.  I was mostly a bluetooth user, and those are very low power compared to the phone itself.  I rarely used my phone though.  I'd say, on average, I used my phone a total of 2 minutes per day.  I only wore my bluetooth when I was in the car on my way to work, and on my way home.
 
I still have a bluetooth device, but being SSD, if I put my bluetooth on my one good ear, I can't hear anything around me .  Needless to say, I rarely use the bluetooth now.
 
I do try to avoid using my cell phone more now.  I text more than I used to.  Even though I'm 99 percent sure that the phone had nothing to do with my AN, do I really want to risk that 1 percent and end up with a tumor on the other side?  I don't think so .
 
Ernie

[Larry]

Hi all,

It is an interesting debate and time will tell as more of these studies are released. I think the scariest outcome of the study is an exponential increase in brain tumor incidence. I do have the full report and it is rather technical. This study along with others just identifies that there is a correlation and higher incidence of cell phone use and brain tumors. The study does focus on EMF's (electro magnetic field) and also identifies that microwaves etc release these EMF's so its not a cell phone specific thing. I guess the reference to cell phones is coz of the proximity to the head and the potential for excessive use. They discuss 2000 hours over a 10 year period as excessive and identify that this usage doubles the risk for an AN.

Personally, I think that cell phone use together with any other contraption that releases x-rays, gamma rays or where there is exposure to EMF's can't be good for you and would probably be a conrtributory factor together with potentially lots of other things or a dormant gene that is brought to life etc. There will always be exceptions to any rule thats why when stats are released for anything there is always a delta - (error level).

It will be interesting to see the statistics in another 10 years.

I won't post the full report but anyone that wants it can pm me with their email and I'll send it on.

Laz

[arkansasfarmgirl]

I never have used my cell phone much.  And when I do use it, it's mostly with a hands-free thingy.  So there.  :-P,',',',',',

Vonda

[stoneaxe]

While I'm somewhat doubtful of a cell phone AN linkage and supposedly there is no genetic connection with AN's I still sent this summary off to my daughters anyway.....I hate how much they use cell phones....

[TP]

I have commented several times with regards to this topic and I feel like cell phones and headsets used there is a possibility of a connection to brain tumors. Many people have smoked over the years and never got lung cancer and many people have gotten lung cancer who never smoked (I have family members who fit in both of these situations) so if you have never used a cell phone and got an AN means you fall into a different category.

I work in the telecommunications business and believe me don't want to believe that cell phones could be a link but let's face it, these little devices are pretty powerful with lots of energy. Having SSD is not fun and I want to preserve my good ear as much as I can so I limit anything up against my head ....just in case some day there are more studies done that prove my gut feelings about electronics and the impact on our bodies. Not being paranoid and not really changing my lifyestyle but being a little more cautious  

[ppearl214]

heck, with all the talk of cellphones and AN's/brain tumors, me thinks its time to go back to using carrier pigeons.

I'm staying out of this debate... been going on far too long.

BTW, Laz..... xoxoxoxo

Phyl

[EJTampa]

Something else to think about IF you are a believe of the cell phone causes AN's debate (I'm not).  Household cordless phones ALSO transmit, and therefor should be included.
 
Ernie

[TP]

I use the speaker function as much as I can on my cordless phone. I work about 60 hours a week and I spend at least 7 to 8 hours a day on conference calls and using a speaker phone can be annoying to folks but I have put my health over my job at least in this area. I never complain about my health at work so I feel this is one area I can have a little control over and feel like I am doing what I can to be careful since I also sit in front of a pc 10 hours a day - ugh!! But hey, so thankful I have a job and am able to work from home. God is good! 

[Jim Scott]

Many people have smoked over the years and never got lung cancer and many people have gotten lung cancer who never smoked (I have family members who fit in both of these situations) so if you have never used a cell phone and got an AN means you fall into a different category.

Let me get this straight: if I don't use a cell phone but still develop an acoustic neuroma it doesn't really disprove the alleged cell phone-AN 'link'.  I'm just "in a different category".  However, if I do use a cell phone and develop an acoustic neuroma, that proves the cell phone-AN link.  In other words, heads you win, tails I lose.  Got it.

Seriously, I fail to see any scientifically proven connection between cell phone usage and the development of an acoustic neuroma.  This is one of these myths that, because the 'link' is not scientifically proven, those who accept the idea of a cell phone-AN (or brain cancer) 'link' keep claiming it could be true.  Well, a lot of myths could be true but that doesn't make them valid.  I don't care what others chose to believe about cell phone usage and acoustic neuromas or brain cancer but I don't buy into it.  However, I can agree that for those spending hours on the telephone, using a speaker phone, especially if it makes you feel safer, is completely reasonable.  Fortunately, we still have freedom of choice in America and if anyone chooses to throw away their cell phone, avoid phone usage or use a speakerphone, that is their prerogative and they have every right to do what they deem best - for them.  Now, please excuse me, I have a call on my cell. 

Jim

[stoneaxe]

Thanks for posting that summary. It is interesting information, but like so many other medical studies, only provides more possibilities, maybes, and perhaps. If we were to go through all the studies conducted and eliminated or became scared of things that a study, or even a meta-study such as this one, showed increased chances of having something bad happen to you we would end up sitting in a cave next to Osama bin Laden (which in itself probably wouldn't be too good for your health).

Tim has this spot on. We live in a world full of things that can be dangerous immediately and cause health issues by years of exposure. I'm going to continue to eat red meat, drive my car, smoke the rare cigar, enjoy a fine single malt, etc, etc...shoot...I surfed a spot where the week before a 16 ft great white was cruising. Live and enjoy life without being wrapped up in what ifs. I want to stay out of that cave...unless Osama IS in there....it wouldn't be my health that was threatened by our sitting together....

[Larry]

I can understand the differences in perception around cell phones but these devices have been singled out because of their prolific usage, particularly with the younger generation. With devices such as cordless phones, microwaves and, by memory, any wirless elctronic device, the key issue is the level of EMF's that are discharged during operation. Cell phones just happen to discharge significantly more EMF's than the other devices.

In a wider context (other than cells), there are so many things we still don't understand. i was watching a documentary last night describing "air bleed" in planes. I didn't realise but the air circulated through the cabin is generated from the engines. If there is any seal leak in the engine, then the air is polluted with a toxin from the oil used in the engine (can't remember its name). This particular flight had a number of people suffer severe permanent damage due to that toxin. The airlines deny it of course.

Smoking - well, we all know how long it took for the tobacco industry to confess - still not sure that they really confessed but the evidence is overwhelming.

We know that certain food colouring cause ADD in some kids. We know that the common x-ray and cat scans emit significant radiation levels which is why operators always go behind a protective shield to prevent excessive exposure.

And what about all the things we don't know yet??

I've got rather depressing in my old age (mainly due to my own personal health problems) but will still live life to the fullest. i still use a cell phone and I still eat foods with MSG in it. I guess its a personal choice. people get affected by different things in different ways.
I guess the classic example is tobacco. I recently heard a 100 year old respond to the question of what was the main reason you lived so long. he responded by saying a pack of smokes and a beer every day. Most people don't get that far, particularly if they smoke.



Laz

[TP]

Larry, I appreciate your opinions and thank you for bringing up this topic. I find it very interesting and I enjoy reading what folks have to say about controversial topics. I appreciate what you have said and agree that there are probably a lot of things out there we don't know about. When it comes to money and power we seem to find out things much later than earlier about the risks and problems.