Can Your Cell Phone Give You Cancer?
When you consider the fact that there are over 6 billion people in the world who own a cell phone (minus my grandmother, bless her heart), you would like to believe that they are not harmful to our health.
Well just like those tobacco ads from the 1950’s – that told you that not only was the cigarette in your hand safe, but it was also good for you! – think of those Apple and Android commercials with the smiling people talking and texting on their cell phones. And then think of those same people sick with cancer.
All cell phones, as well as many other devices in our homes, emit Electromagnetic Frequencies or EMFs. And these EMFs can interfere with your body’s complex communication system where cells, tissues and organs all need to function properly to keep you going. As Dr. Karl Maret explained, it’s just like a radio “and when you expose a radio antenna to a significant amount of external noise, you get static, and that is what is happening to your body in today’s EMF-saturated environment” (from Dr. Mercola).
The fact is that as long as your cell phone is powered on, it’s emitting some sort of radiation and it doesn’t matter if you’re using it or not. In fact, if you’re in an area of poor reception, you actually have an increased risk of exposure.
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Because of the “newness” of cell phone use, research is not conclusive on the long-term effects, but studies are ongoing. And in May 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that cell phone radiation is a “possible carcinogen”. This puts cell phones in the same category as pesticides, lead, burning coal and dry cleaning chemicals.
The IARC, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) have called for the industry to reduce EMFs. There are many issues with this: One, the larger cancer organizations do not recognize that EMFs are a problem. And two, EMF standards vary by country and that would be an issue with cell phone manufacturers.
Still not convinced? Well, in 2012 the American Academy of Pediatrics asked the FCC to adapt cell phone standards and make it mandatory to disclose EMF levels. Why? Because children are at a greater risk since their cells reproduce more rapidly and allow for more aggressive cancer cell growth.
Also, a research group in Israel found an increase in cases of partiod gland tumors, which are a salivary gland near your cheek – where you would hold a cell phone while talking. They also found that your chances increase by (from Dr. Mercola):
- 34 percent if you are a regular cell phone user and have used a mobile phone for 5 years.
- 58 percent if you had more than about 5,500 calls in your lifetime.
- 49 percent if you have spoken on the phone for more than 266.3 hours during your lifetime.
Researchers are convinced that not only do EMFs contribute to cancer, but also to other illnesses, such as depression, diabetes, heart irregularities and fertility problems.
So what can we do to protect ourselves and our children? Well for starters, do not run out and buy a set of wired headphones; that’s just a lesser of two evils. If the headphones contain wire (which most do), all you’re doing is bringing the radiation right to your ear. And a Bluetooth device is the same as a cell phone, it uses it’s own EMFs to transmit the sound.
Instead you can try this GIA Cell Guard that was featured on the documentary “Truth About Cancer”, and will reduce the emission of EMFs from your cell phone. Or try these anti-radiation headphones found on Amazon.
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