According to the World Health Organization, as of 2005, there are 1.6 billion cell phone users throughout the world. Because of the proximity of the cell phone to the brain, it has been questioned whether cell phone use causes brain cancer. While some research suggested a connection, both recent research and the World Health Organization agree that there is no substantial link between brain cancer and cell phone use. Because cell phones emit non-ionizing radiation, it does not cause the same damage as ionizing radiation.
Acoustic Neuroma
According to London's Institute of Cancer Research, one of the brain tumors in question with cell phone use is the acoustic neuroma. An acoustic neuroma is a benign tumor that forms on the nerve that connects the brain to the ear and inner ear. Untreated acoustic neuromas result in a loss of hearing in the affected and inner ear, as well as a loss of balance.
Radio Frequency
According to the World Health Organization, cell phones operate on frequencies between 800 and 1,800 MHz, which is classified as non-ionizing radiation. Non-ionizing radiation is very different from ionizing radiation, which is found in X-rays and gamma rays: non-ionizing radiation cannot cause ionization or radioactivity in the human body.
Research
A four-year study conducted by the London's Institute of Cancer Research looked at the link between brain cancer and cell phones. Researchers investigated how many years patients used a cell phone, the number of calls made, the number of hours used and when patients first started using the cell phone.
Results
Of the 966 brain cancer patients studied, no risk was found between cell phone use and brain tumors. In addition to modern phones, the researchers at London's Institute of Cancer Research also investigated analog phones. Analog phones emit a higher power than digital phones; however, researchers did not find an increased risk of brain cancer with these phones. According to Professor Anthony Swerdlow, one of the senior investigators at London's Institute of Cancer Research, "There had been public concern about whether there is a link between brain cancer risk and use of mobile phones. The risk of acoustic neuroma is of particular interest in this context because of the proximity of the acoustic nerve to the handset. The results of our study suggest that there is no substantial risk in the first decade after starting use. Whether there are long-term risks remains unknown, reflecting the fact that this is a relatively recent technology."
World Health Organization's Stance
According to the World Health Organization, "current scientific evidence indicates that exposure to [radio frequency] fields, such as those emitted by mobile phones and their base stations, is unlikely to induce or promote cancers." In addition, the World Health Organization states that "while one 1997 study found that [radio frequency] fields increased the rate at which genetically engineered mice developed lymphoma, the health implications of this result is unclear...Three recent epidemiological studies found no convincing evidence of increase in risk of cancer or any other disease with use of mobile phones."
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