Recent studies indicate there is no correlation between cell phones and brain cancer, but research on the subject is still ongoing.
In fact, UCLA has applied for participation in an international study investigating the topic.
Leading the research is the INTERPHONE study done by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, a branch of the World Health Organization.
From the findings, it has been concluded that cell phone use does not increase the risk of brain cancer.
“We now have studies covering up to 10 years of cell phone usage, and we’re still not seeing any convincing evidence of an increased brain cancer risk,” Dr. Peter Inskip of the National Cancer Institute’s Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, who led one of the first studies on the subject, said in the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Bulletin.
Although UCLA has not done any studies on the effects of cell phones on brain cancer yet, it was involved in a first-of-its-kind study with the University of Aarhus, Denmark, on the effects of cell phones on pregnant women.
The study, co-authored by Leeka Kheifets, UCLA professor of epidemiology, found that pregnant women who used cell phones were 54 percent more likely to have children with behavioral problems.
In addition, UCLA, in collaboration with USC, has recently applied for funding from the National Institutes for Health to participate in a study that will research the effects of cell phones on children developing brain tumors, Kheifets said.
The study already involves work by research groups in 13 countries, according to the study’s Web Site.
While no studies have been published on the potential increased risk of brain tumors in children as a result of cell phone use, it is believed that children may be at a greater risk because their nervous systems are still developing at the time of exposure to the radiation, according to the National Cancer Institute’s Web Site.
Among the reasons scientists first raised concerns over cell phones is the radio frequency energy they emit, the National Cancer Institute said.
While televisions and microwaves also generate radio frequency energy, cell phones raise more alarms because of their close proximity to brains.
Despite variance in some of the research performed during the INTERPHONE study, which did indicate a slightly elevated risk for brain tumors in specific cases, the overall conclusion is that this radiation does not increase the risk for brain cancer or tumors, although complete INTERPHONE results are yet to be published.
However, further long-term studies need evaluation before a conclusion can be drawn, as there are considerable constraints posed by the research, according to the National Cancer Institute.
“Basically, the studies to date don’t demonstrate the link, but there are many limitations,” Kheifets said.
“One is that cell phones have not been out long enough.”
Studies have also struggled to keep up with rapidly changing and emerging technology, according to Kheifets.
“Technology is changing so quickly that it is very difficult to study. People are using hands-free devices, texting, and Wi-Fi is everywhere. Everything is complicating these studies,” Kheifets said.
In spite of the results of the recent studies, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration still recommends switching to a hands-free device and only using cell phones for short conversations.