For years there were people who I assumed were conspiracy theorists saying that they wouldn’t hold their cell phone near their ears when talking on the phone because they caused brain cancer; I thought it was a bunch of bunk and obviously they were just totally bonkers thinking such a thing.  Well, I guess the tides MAY have turned, and they look like the smarty pants!

The WHO (World Health Organization) just send out a statement saying that they think cell phones really can be carcinogenic (cancer causing) because of the low level of radiation they produce.  Cell phones are considered a Group 2B risk because researchers and scientists have seen and increase in gliomas, a type of brain cancer, associated with cell phone use.  The WHO did also make a statement that further research needs to be done and these were initial studies, and that they feel the use of text and hands-free devices may decrease your risk of exposure.  But this is important because we need to think about the implications this may have on our lives, and what else might be causing this exposure: WiFi? Televisions?

Now, am I going to freak out and toss my phone because there are “associations” wit gliomas and cell phone use?  Not at all.  What I will do is try to limit phone to head time and utilize my handsfree earphones; which honestly I use a ton anyway because I am always multitasking and it allows me to have arm freedom whilst chatting!  I also think that cell phones, when they first came out, were designed to be a phone to use on the run, in an emergency, not these, basically, computers that we hold on our persons 24/7 that we cannot live without, and it starts from such a young age that children are also attached to their phones.  So, this small level of radiation, which may not be a huge amount of exposure, over time, and with the extend that we all seem to use our phones, may give us an increase in risk of certain brain cancers.  It is estimated that 5 Billion people worldwide use cellphones EVERY SINGLE DAY!  That is crazy!

If you have other radiation risks daily, you might want to try to increase texting or handsfree use, and talk to your HCP about your risk.  Unfortunately, mostly the damage is already done (if there is any) but we can look for any changes that you might have (increased headaches, changes in vision, altered mood, changes in taste, muscle weaknesses) and be aware so we can get in for early diagnosis and treatment.

Bottom line?  I wanted you guys to be aware, but this shouldn’t have huge implications in our lives, as the WHO changes their risk (if they increase it) I will let you all know and the changes we should make in our lives from there on in.  Until then, keep living the dream 😉

Yours in Good Health
B