In what seems like the hundredth report that has studied the link between cancer and cell phone use. The latest study that proclaims itself as the “largest study on the matter” has determined that cell phones do not cause cancer. Published online in the British Medical Journal, the Danish researchers behind the report studied a substantial number of people and are confident that there is no evident link connecting brain tumors and cell phone usage.
Over a span of 18 years, the researchers analyzed over 358,402 mobile subscribers. Even though, there have been numerous studies on the potential connection between tumors and cell phones, a few case studies involved just a small group of long term mobile phone users, and these reports were found to be prone to bias and errors. Due to the uncertainty around mobile phone-related cancer, the International Agency for Research on Cancer recently chose to classify radio frequency electromagnetic fields, like those emitted by cell phones, as probable carcinogens.
Following through on a study which compared the cancer risk of every cell phone subscriber dating back from 1982 to 1995, the team provided further information for the years 1996 up to 2002. Neither of these studies detected a trace of evidence of an increased risk of nervous system or brain cancers. To compare results, the research team divided the entire Danish population into two parts; those who used mobile phones and those who did not. From 1990 to 2007, 10,729 cases of central nervous system tumors transpired with roughly half occurring in each group. This confirmed the team's initial suspicion proving that there was no notable impact on a person's health resulting from cell phone usage.
Rebutting possible critics, the team warned that "... as a small to moderate increase in risk for subgroups of heavy users or after even longer induction periods than 10 to 15 years cannot be ruled out, further studies with large study populations, where the potential for misclassification of exposure and selection bias is minimized, are warranted." In short, the researchers are receptive that heavy users might or might not be affected negatively by long term usage after 15 years, but that more tests are required to rule out the chance.
It has been an ongoing debate since cell phones became part of the mainstream, with many tests and studies being performed, only to result in various outcomes. With the number of individuals using mobile phones gaining more than five billion subscriptions around the world, many have been concerned about the risks of having a radio frequency-emitting device held to one's ear all day long.
Through a huge undertaking by the researchers at the Institute of Cancer Epidemiology in Copenhagen, consumers and cell phone users can continue their connected lifestyle, though this time with peace of mind.
