Cell Phones May Cause Salivary Gland Tumors
The negative impact of cell phone use is debated and studied almost as much as mobile pricing plans -- and the issues range from cell phone etiquette to the suspicion that placing the ubiquitous digital devices next to your head for hours on end may cause cancer.
Most studies have not been able to find a link between cell phone use and cancer, but the BBC is reporting that a new study out of Israel seems to have found a link between constant cell phone use and salivary gland cancer.
Researchers found an unusually high occurrence of salivary gland tumors among study subjects who, over the course of many years, typically had a cell phone pressed to the side of their heads for several hours a day. This type of tumor is fairly uncommon, so its presence was surprising to the researchers.
Most studies to date have looked specifically for brain tumors -- but this is the first to focus on this particular kind of salivary gland tumor. The research appeared in The American Journal of Epidemiology.
Because of their heavier than average cell phone use, Israelis are considered good subjects for studying how cell phone use could impact people over time. According to the researchers, the Israeli study shows what happens at an accelerated rate compared to other populations.
So, is this a harbinger of things to come for the rest of us? The Israeli researchers caution that more studies need to be done on broader swaths of cell phone users. In the meantime, though, they also caution that people should be more careful with how they use their cell phones.
From BBC News.
Related links:
- French Health Minister Warns Against Excessive Cell Phone Use
- Laser Printers as Bad for You as Cigarettes
- Are Your Gadgets Making You Sick?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
john rogers @ Feb 20th 2008 1:42AM
Good reason to get a Dock-N-Talk cell phone docking station so you can talk on regular phones while using your cell service. For $150 it is the cheapest insurance policy in the world against radiation problems and it works great too!
crystalclear4031 @ Feb 20th 2008 8:09AM
I bairly ever talk on my cell phone. When ever my friends and I have to talk me text each other. Its allot easier!! Well I hope cell phones dont really cause cancer because my father uses his cell phone allot at work. :(
Daniel Gaunt @ Feb 20th 2008 9:04AM
last week they were saying using a cell phone insn't linked with brain tumours! maybe this tumor is just caused by talking alot!
http://freeextras.blogspot.com/
http://lifeorsomethingnotquitelikeit.blogspot.com/
tnipnad @ Feb 20th 2008 9:05AM
This is important stuff! Who knows how many people don't take this kind of warning seriously, which could prevent illness and possible death to them or a member of....wait, my razer's ringing. I better take this.
paul @ Feb 20th 2008 9:13AM
My cell phone bills give me stress. I'm thinking of creating a massive lawsuit......
Bruce @ Feb 20th 2008 9:50AM
This is no B**L S**T - pay attention folks. I've just been diagnosed with a tumor in my left parotid gland (just below the ear at the corner of the jaw). These tumors are rare but this happens to be my "telephone ear." I noticed with my old phone, it would get very hot after a few minutes use and would occasionally give me headaches after use. I don't actually use it that much (400 to 600 minutes/month). Now I have to have surgery tomorrow to remove that salivary gland and hope that it's not malignant. I have no doubt that it was caused by cell phone use!!! We all need to stop holding these damn things next to our heads.
Kat @ Feb 20th 2008 9:58AM
Not to sound over dramatic or paranoid, but salivary gland cancer is very serious! Google Roger Ebert's condition, it may make you think twice. To the person who says, "Everything gives you cancer, so I'm gonna do it anyway" - you must be really young. I'm 42, in great health, but the illusion of my youth/immortality is long gone! All of these gadgets are wonderful tools to this generation of luxury and abundance. Personally, we need to go back to the simple life. All of the things that are supposed to make life "easier" are going to make our lives decline. Tonight the government is going to shoot down a satellite that is carrying toxic waste. Where do you think it's going to land? All over our atmosphere...every action has a consequence.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Esther @ Feb 20th 2008 10:29AM
I find it hard to believe, but I will definately start texting more!
LaGray @ Feb 20th 2008 10:30AM
This is the first time I have ever commented on an article on the web. My 20 year old daughter had her parotid gland on the right side removed when she was 18. She too was constantly on her cell phone. Now she has to deal with the results of removing the gland. Her face stays red and that side sweats when she eats or smells food that is appetizing. She is just now getting back the feeling on that side because of the nerves that had to be cut. The surgery left a permanent indention on that side of her face.
I've never thought that a cell phone could have caused the tumor, but now I think it makes sense. Hopefully all these cell phone junkies will take notice. I know I am going to make sure my daughter reads this article.
kerainbolt @ Feb 20th 2008 10:41AM
seems like using the hands-free option on cell phones may be way to cut down the chances of this particular type of cancer...
and i wonder if anyone has studied a link between cell phone use and lymphoma. my husband was diagnosed with that cancer a few years ago and the largest tumors were on his neck, just below his ear. hmmmm....maybe i'll insist that he start using the hands-free feature on his cell phone, just in case.
mike Hunt @ Feb 20th 2008 10:59AM
If this is true my neighbor must have a tumor as big as a basket ball.I think her cell phone is attached to her key chain because I have never seen her in five years get in or out of her car without being on the phone !
Michele Beaver @ Feb 20th 2008 11:36AM
I only use my cellphone in an emergency and talk maybe 30 seconds. I see these poeple in cars and everywhere going around with it glued to their ears. What did they do before cell phones? Remember the CB radio craze? What's next?
Mike @ Feb 20th 2008 12:42PM
10 - 4 Good buddy. Remember the CB craze? I was part of it. I even wrote a play that was intended to be performed on CB at 2 AM. CB was way more fun than cell phones. It was CB that got me through to the coast guard when the starter broke on my boat. Bring back CB anytime.
All the good numbers to you, this is Black Bart, 10 - 10, on the side; we gone.
Anthony Bolden @ Feb 20th 2008 12:47PM
Have you noticed that as technology develops more and more, how attractive simplicity becomes once again?
Chris @ Feb 20th 2008 1:08PM
WARNING! Just using hands-free devices is not the answer, either. Go to mercola.com and look up what he says about cell phones. Most hands-free devices concentrate the radiation and shoot it up the wire straight into your ear!
NORMA @ Feb 20th 2008 1:32PM
YES!!! BRING BACK THE CB'S WE WILL GO FOR THAT
Cheryl @ Feb 20th 2008 1:37PM
Never mind only worrying about holding them next to your head...DON'T HOLD THEM NEXT TO YOUR PERSON PERIOD! So many of us carry them in our pockets, mainly our jean pockets. Think about it!
Dijon @ Feb 20th 2008 2:03PM
crystalclear4031.
I noted your comment, but since I have editing lodged in my brain somewhere,instead of a cellphone, I must point out that you need to learn to spell.
i.e. bairly-=-I think you meant barely.
and "allot"--no, it is written " a lot"
Hope you do not mind my comment.
Ed @ Feb 20th 2008 2:07PM
How is texting easier then making a call? I HATE it! It is so time consuming. I think it is just a way people try and let the world know they are important or something. People are way too obsessed with their phones. I average about 30 minutes a month. Ever see 7,000 minutes on a rollover plan at the end of the year!? What could be going on in your life that things just can't wait? How many of us are really sorting out world affairs or curing cancer on our cells? Oh, and if anyone ever hit my car while they where on the phone or texting ... hope the cops make it there before I struggle to get out!
Mashimaro.hk @ Feb 20th 2008 7:27PM
I did not know that it gives you cancer, but now-a-days What doesn't? But I am still using my cellphone.