Technology-The Good, The Bad, and the Cellular Phone

Part Two-Brain Cancer

As a little girl, I would often hear my grandmother say, “do not over indulge in any one thing because it is not good for you” or “too much of a good thing is NOT good for you”. Well, being a very young child at the time, I really did not totally understand what she was saying to me. Life, as you know, has its own way of teaching you. Now, as an adult, my grandmother’s words are apparent. Almost everything you do or eat in life will not hurt you as long as it is done in moderation. Let’s look at cell phones causing brain cancer. I constantly read or hear about their dangers in the media. It is a well debated issue.

While browsing the Internet, I came across an article about Johnny Cochran. His wife really voiced he concern about the fact that her late husband’s incessant use of his cell phone may have contributed to his brain cancer, which took his life in year 2005. Whether or not this is true, is unclear. There were doctors who agreed and some who disagreed. “Larry King had several doctors on his show, and most of whom agreed (to varying degrees) that there “may” very well be a link between cell phone use and brain cancer, though it is too early to say with any certainty”. I read another article that explained how this could happen.

“Cell phones communicate with nearby cell towers through RF waves, a form of energy located on the electromagnetic spectrum between FM radio waves and microwaves. Like FM radio waves, microwaves, visible light, and heat, they are a form of non-ionizing radiation. They cannot cause cancer by directly damaging DNA. RF waves are different from stronger types of radiation such as x-rays, gamma rays, and ultraviolet (UV) light, which can break the chemical bonds in DNA. At very high levels, RF waves can heat up body tissues. (This is the basis for how microwave ovens work.) But the levels of energy given off by cell phones are much lower, and the warmth from a cell phone does not damage body tissues. Electromagnetic radiation can be divided into two types: Ionizing (high-frequency) and non-ionizing (low-frequency) (2). RF energy is a form of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation. Ionizing radiation, such as that produced by x-ray machines, can pose a cancer risk at high levels of exposure. However, it is not known whether the non-ionizing radiation emitted by cellular telephones is associated with cancer risk. The RF waves from cell phones come from the antenna, which is part of the body of a hand-held phone. The waves are strongest at the antenna and lose energy as they travel away from the phone. The phone is typically held against the side of the head when in use. The closer the antenna is to the head, the greater a person's expected exposure to RF energy”.


Young children and teenagers may be more at risk than adults for brain cancer due to the fact that their skulls are thinner. Being that some doctors agree and some do not agree to the fact that long term cell phone usage may or may not cause cancer should give us every reason to be aware of the dangers for ourselves and our families. It is quoted in an article by Professor Hardell that children twelve and under should be restricted from using hand held phones except in emergencies. Teenagers should be limited to hands-free devices until age twenty and at that point, it is stated that the danger diminishes. Keep in mine, there are many articles and doctors who disagree with the statement that the danger diminishes after a certain age. Be prepared…wear your armor

Lean, Geoffery. The Independent. 21 September 2008. 12 February 2010 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/mobile-phone-use-raises-childrens-risk-of-brain-cancer-fivefold-937005.html.

Shireen. Health Is Wealth. 2 January 2010. 12 February 2010 http://healthiswealth.healthfreakmommy.com/?p=279.

Steele, Sandy. Omega-News. 6 January 2007. 13 Febuary 2010 .