Do Cell Phones Cause Cancer?

Introduction

A cell phone is a device that receives and makes calls through a radio frequency link by establishing a connection to a switching system managed by a cellular operator. Cell phones are popular devices worldwide as they are used for sending messages, emails, and accessing internet in various businesses. Despite their far-reaching use and benefits, cell phones are linked to safety and health risks including certain brain cancers. Cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrollable division of abnormal cells which destroys the body tissues.Researchers and experts have hotly debated the issue of whether the use of cell phones can lead to cancer. Several researchers have argued that there is a direct correlation between use of cell phones and cancer. Other scholars are against these claims. Therefore, this topic should be thoroughly researched to provide a clear indication of whether cell phones cause cancer or not. This essay aims to analyze both sides of the issue. Although several investigations show that there is no correlation between cancer and mobile handset usage, closer scrutiny of the issue through recent studies indicates that cell phones can cause brain tumors. This is because cell phones use radiations within the microwave range which are injurious to the human body.

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Counterarguments

Some researchers claim that there is no evidence that the electromagnetic radiations from cell phones cause harm to the human body. According to Physicist Bernard Leikind, there are no mechanisms in cell phone radiations that cause cancer (Leikind, 2010). He argued that the electromagnetic emissions causing cancer include X-rays, gamma rays, and ultraviolet radiations. They break the chemical bonds in the body which increases the risk of cancer. These radiations are not emitted by cell phones. Therefore, the energy from a cell phone is very low (0.001KJ/mole). Hence, it cannot weaken or damage the covalent bonds in the human body. This is because the energy radiation range of covalent bonds is approximately 100 to 500 KJ/mole which cannot be emitted from cell phone radiations.

Additionally, a study by American Health Foundation involving 469 cancer patients was conducted from 1994 to 1998 when analog phones were used more than digital ones. The study indicated that the radio frequency generated from mobile phones were not enough to cause brain tumor since the radiations are non-ionizing (Savitz, 2011).

However, to refute these claims researchers have not revealed whether the accumulation of radio frequency wave in the brain can be dangerous. Despite emitting low energy, usage of the phone for a long time for instance while speaking to the same person can generate enough energy to stimulate the chemical bonds. The long-term use of mobile phones will cause thermal radiation on one side of the brain which increases the risk of a tumor.

Arguments

There are several reasons why cell phones use is associated with causing cancer. First, the use of wireless cell phones increases the risk of glioma and acoustic neuroma. Glioma is a brain or spine tumor which is malignant and fatal. On the other hand, acoustic neuroma is a low-grade-cancer which affects the skull (De Vocht, 2013). The World Health Organization (WHO), conducted an Interphone study in 13 countries. The results of the study indicate that participants who were using mobile phones for more than a decade had high risks of contracting brain tumor. The research also shows that participants using mobile phones for more than a decade risks of brain tumor were high. Additionally, a study by Hardell's group shows that people who use wireless cell phones regularly has a 70% risk of acoustic neuromas and glioma.

Moreover, analyzing people who have used phones for a long time are at risk of getting cancer. This is because infections like brain cancer might take decades to appear. Therefore, conducting result on only people who have used phones for a short while might not detect the risks. Recent studies in Nordic countries show that individuals who have used phones for more than a decade have 30% chances of brain tumor than those using mobiles for a short time. The risks were more on the side of the head where an individual holds his/her phone. Additionally, cell phone usage is discouraged for use by children in France, Britain, and Germany as it increases their risk of brain tumor. Radiations cause tissue heating which can cause tumor in children.

The radiation frequency generated by mobile phones can increase the risk of cancer. A meta-analysis study by Lennart Hardell in Sweden shows increased risks of a brain tumor for cell phone users (Khurana et al., 2009). He and his team conducted independent studies that indicated an increased risk for glioma to around 50% for cell phone users. Additionally, he found from six studies that individuals with long-term exposure to cellular radiations had increased chances of glioma ranging from 20% for less aggressive and 400% for very destructive brain tumors.

Moreover, brain tumor and acoustic neuroma are the major types of cancers associated with cell phone usage. The findings indicate that use of cell phones for a long-term leads to cancer. However, there is no sufficient experimental evidence to prove that cell phones cause cancer. Despite the limitations, this essay shows that researches are validating that the claims that cell phones cause cancer outshines the counterarguments. Therefore, it is evidence that continued use of cell phones increases the risk of suffering from brain tumor.

References

De Vocht, F. (2013). The case of acoustic neuroma: Comment on Mobile phone use and risk of brain neoplasms and other cancers. International journal of epidemiology, 43(1), 273-274.

Khurana, V. G., Teo, C., Kundi, M., Hardell, L., & Carlberg, M. (2009). Cell phones and brain tumors: a review including the long-term epidemiologic data. Surgical Neurology, 72(3), 205-214.

Leikind, B. (2010). Do cell phones cause cancer?. arXiv preprint arXiv:1007.4192.

Savitz, J (2011) Recent Studies Show Cell Phone Use Is Not Associated With Increased Cancer Risk. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 93(7), 70-172. https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/93.3.170