Cell Phones and Brain Tumor

A study published in the April issue of Neurology finds cell phone use does not increase risk of brain tumors. The Danish study, surveyed 427 people with brain tumors and 822 without brain tumors and found no correlation between tumor development and the frequency of cell-phone use or length of time owning a cell phone.

In the past, scientists had speculated that the radio frequency fields emitted by cell phones could cause cancer or DNA damage; experts say the current study demonstrates that the waves emitted do not carry enough energy to cause harm. In addition, the researchers found no relationship between the side of the head tumors were located on and patients’ preferred side for talking on the phone.

Christensen HC, Schuz J, Kosteljanetz M, Poulsen HS, Boice JD Jr, McLaughlin JK, Johansen C. (2005) Cellular telephones and risk for brain tumors: a population-based, incident case-control study. Neurology. 64(7):1189-95.