The Correlation Between Cell Phones and Brain Cancer

Magalie Divra
HSC4730
Final Research Paper
November 18, 2015

Divra 2

The Correlation Between Cell Phones and Brain Cancer

Since the invention of portable cellular devices, there has been no end to the rapid
evolution and usage of the mobile phone. The United States has been no stranger to this
technological revolution and has, in fact, propelled the movement further, very nearly making
cell phones something of a necessity for every American. According to the U.S. Census, the use
of cellular devices in America showed a three hundred percent increase between 1995 and 2004
(Ledford 1) and that rate of increase has only been magnified since then. In 2011, it was
estimated that over 300 million cell phones resided in the U.S. and about 96% of Americans were
found to be using cell phones on a regular basis. (Mind, Mood & Memory 1) This significant
prevalence of cellular technology has sparked a curiosity among scientists, health experts, and
everyday consumers as to the effects of these devices on the human body. One of the concerns
dominating this investigation is the effects on the brain and possibility of brain cancer in
particular. In order to analyze this, many studies have looked heavily into radiofrequency
electromagnetic radiation, brain glucose metabolism, and the prevalence of tumors.
To begin, radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is "energy radiated in the
form of a wave as a result of the motion of electric charges". (Ledford 1) Many speculate that
this radiation is a carcinogen, or cancer-producing agent, especially given its close proximity to
the body and its constant emission of radiation. The effect of EMR is exemplified in the tissue of
the body which has a specific absorption rate (SAR) that should not exceed 1.6 W/kg. In studies
with consistent cell phone users, the SAR in the tissue of the brain was analyzed and it was
claimed that it was higher than normal numbers, although this does not prove that cell phones are

Divra 3
the direct cause of said increase. (Islam 1) The United States Food and Drug Administration also
uses the SAR to measure exposure; a low level is recommended to keep the consumer well out of
harms way if they can abide by it. (Mind, Mood & Memory 1) In 2011, the World Health
Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) officially intervened into
the debate with the somewhat obscure statement that cellular EMR was possibly carcinogenic.
(Nature Medicine 1) Brain glucose metabolism is another way to gauge the possibility of
radiation effects on the human brain. Glucose metabolism inside the brain, which indicates brain
activity, was found in one study produced by the American Medical Association to be increased
approximately 7% in the span of a 50-minute cell phone call. This offers the possibility of
harmful effects after continuous usage spurring an inflammatory response or the creation of
cell-damaging radicals. (Mind, Mood & Memory 1) A separate article (Currie 1) analyzed the
same study but found the increase in brain glucose metabolism to be inconclusive regarding
health, as opposed to the previous article which took it as an immediate negative health effect.
Additionally, the prevalence of tumors and other foreign agents within the body is being weighed
with regard to EMR from cell phones. Mind, Mood & Memory reports that on the whole, the
studies targeted at cell-phone caused brain tumors report no trend, similarly with searches for
like-caused head and neck cancers. The article does not credit a lack of in depth study nor does it
disregard the possibility but says rather that "brain tumors are not a common health problem in
the first place"; a statement made by Dr. Hoch, an Assistant Professor of Neurology at Harvard
Medical School. (Mind, Mood & Memory 1) Another source agreed, but cautioned that health
experts look at not just brain tumors but tumors throughout the body, seeing as the radiation is
presented to many parts around the body. (Betts 1) Contrarily, the Skeptic called these findings to
be groundless fears not to be given any credit at all. The aforementioned article agrees with

Divra 4
those who believe the possibility of cell-phone-caused cancers is meritless, merely a figment of
human hysteria. (Leikind 1) Overall, radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation, brain glucose
metabolism, and the prevalence of tumors are all significant factors to be weighed when
observing cell phone effects on human health and brain cancer in particular. Beyond those base
details, many questions arise from the given information, some of which include:
1. Does the length of time spent on a cell phone affect the possibility of cancer?
Since the mid-1990s, the heavy use of mobile devices has been a source of worry to
health officials because it is a relatively new product and its health consequences had yet
to be fully evaluated. (Ledford 1) However, the tide of those who experienced that late
20th century wave of cellular innovation is returning, and with it the possibility of an
occurrence of cell-phone caused diseases. This is because radiation typically does not
present itself in the body for approximately ten years, so initial tests when cell phones
first came out would likely have been futile. Now they are more capable of interviewing
and examining people who have or have not used phones and how often they used them
since circa 1995. (Betts 1) According to a variety of studies, it is fairly conclusive that the
more time spent around radiofrequency EMR, the greater the risk of acquiring cancer.
(Currie 1)
2. Does age or preexisting conditions magnify the effects of cell phone radiation?
Being predisposed to a family heredity of cancer already puts you at high risk, and
coupling this with the possibility of acquiring cancer from cell phone radiation certainly
cannot improve ones odds. Some studies claim that males also run an increased risk of
decreased sperm motility and viability if overexposed to cellular radiation. (Obesity,
Fitness & Wellness 1) National Cancer Institute's Surveillance Epidemiology and End

Divra 5
Results database reported a slight trend upwards in women in their twenties, but not in
men. (McBride 1) Among many of the articles, it was universally accepted that keeping
cell phones away from young children was the best course of action considering their
still-developing brains and bodies. (Journal of Pakistan Medical Association 1) Elderly
people and those with a weakened immune system are also warned away from cell
phones in case of radiation. (Fava 1)
3. Can cell phones be definitively proven as a cause of cancer?
The overall agreement was no, many studies were labeled inconclusive because the
evidence is controversial, the current data is not persuasive, and the field is too current.
(Ledford 1) The evidence found is debatable due to multiple sources of bias (such as who
set up the tests; ex. If the cell phone company released their findings, they would likely
show no signs of negative impacts but their results may have been tampered with in an
attempt to protect their product and business). Additionally, participants in a study may
unknowingly report a false number concerning their cell phone use, and this would skew
the results. The current data has very little solid backing; its based mainly in the
possibility of preexisting cancers having arisen from cell phone radiation, as opposed to
seeing a direct link between cell use and brain cancer. The field of cellular devices is still
relatively new and given its rapid advancement, it is hard for researchers to keep up with
the technology and its effect on the human body, especially given radiations prolonged
resting period. (Fava 1)
4. When can concrete results of the study be expected and properly applied?
Ionizing radiation is a recognized cause of brain tumors, but except for rare instances,
the radiation-induced cases occur on average after 10-20 years since the time of first

Divra 6
exposure. (Betts 1) It is presumed that if there is a significant effect from cellular EMR
that it should be seen in mass sometime within the next couple years as those who started
cell phone use in the late 90s would begin to present with symptoms. Although
obviously many cancers cannot be credited to cell phone radiation, if there is a sharp
increase in those of age who acquired brain cancer, there is a possibility that a correlation
can be drawn. However, it also offers the opportunity for this to be disproven. As for
medical application, if it was necessary, it would likely take an extended period of time to
prove causality and to find a proper solution. (Obesity, Fitness & Wellness 1)
5. Are there precautionary measures to be taken?
If the studies finding a positive correlation between cell phone radiation and brain cancer
are to be believed, there are precautionary steps that can be utilized to avoid it. Devra Lee
Davis, PhD, MPH, President of the Environmental Health Trust advises distance; keeping
your phone as far away from you is the healthiest option. Dont keep your phone in your
pocket directly against your body or sleep with it near your head. (Obesity, Fitness &
Wellness 1) The Mind, Mood & Memory article advises using the speaker option or
another hands-free method that allows you to keep the phone from having direct contact
with your head. Also, putting your phone on airplane mode as often as possible or
transferring to cellular devices with lower emissions are additional precautions that can
be taken now.
All in all, the purpose of this article was to research the possible effects of cell
phone use, and its corresponding radiation, on the human body, in particular the brain.
Reviewing radiofrequency radiation, brain metabolism, and the presence of tumors gives
background information, while the questions and answers serve as a guide to a

Divra 7
continuation of knowledge of the situation and actions that can be taken. No hypothesis
was claimed because the purpose of this paper is not to persuade the reader in any which
way but to inform them of the potential of carcinogens in mobile technology. Limitations
to the information provided in this paper include: the fact that this is still a rather
progressive idea and mass research has not been fully executed, plus the many sources of
bias amongst the hosts of the study and the participants, and that there are innumerable
other carcinogens capable of producing brain cancer, so directly linking cell use and brain
cancer is difficult. Public health practitioners can use these results to inform people of the
possibilities, advise the aforementioned precautionary measures, and establish more
studies into the topic.

Divra 8
References

"Are cell phones harming our brains? New research suggests the phones increase activity in
nearby brain cells, but health consequences are unclear." Mind, Mood & Memory 7.6
(2011): 1+. General OneFile. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.

Betts, Kellyn S. "First combined analysis from INTERPHONE inconclusive." Environmental

Health Perspectives 118.7 (2010): A290+. General OneFile. Web. 10 Nov. 2015.

"Cancer calls." Nature Medicine 17.7 (2011): 762. General OneFile. Web. 13 Nov. 2015.

"Cell Phone and Brain: How do they interact?" Journal of Pakistan Medical Association 31 Dec.
2011. Academic OneFile. Web. 11 Nov. 2015.

Currie, Donya. "Cellphone use may disrupt brain activity." The Nation's Health May-June 2011:
23. General OneFile. Web. 10 Nov. 2015.

"Debating the safety of cell phone use." Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week 20 Aug. 2011: 150.
Global Issues in Context. Web. 13 Nov. 2015.

Fava, Maurizio. "Age-associated brain atrophy. ..... Cell phones and brain cancer. .... Epilepsy in
older adults." Mind, Mood & Memory 6.10 (2010): 8. General OneFile. Web. 9 Nov.
2015.

Divra 9

Islam, M.T., et al. "Analysis of materials effects on radio frequency electromagnetic fields in
human head." Progress In Electromagnetics Research 128 (2012): 121+. Academic
OneFile. Web. 12 Nov. 2015.

Ledford, Brandon. "Cell phones, electromagnetic radiation, and cancer: a study of author
affiliation, funding, bias, and results." Politics & Policy 38.6 (2010): 1274+. Global
Issues in Context. Web. 10 Nov. 2015.

Leikind, Bernard. "Do cell phones cause cancer?" Skeptic [Altadena, CA] 15.4 (2010): 30+.
General OneFile. Web. 11 Nov. 2015.

McBride, Deborah. "Study fails to link cell phones and brain cancer incidence." ONS Connect
Dec. 2010: 5. Academic OneFile. Web. 10 Nov. 2015.