Long-term use of mobile and cordless phones is associated with an increased risk for brain cancer

It's official: Long-term use of mobile and cordless phones is associated with an increased risk for glioma, the most common type of brain tumor as per the latest research published online on October 28 in Pathophysiology.

The new Sweden study by Dr Lennart Hardell, Professor of Oncology at University Hospital, shows that the risk for brain tumor is tripled among those using a wireless phone for more than 25 years and that the risk is also greater for those who had started using mobile or cordless phones before age 20 years.
The widespread use of wireless communications has resulted in greater exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields and the brain is the main target of these radiations when these phones are used, with the highest exposure being on the same side of the brain where the phone is placed.
In the study an increased risk for brain tumor was associated with use for more than 1 year of both mobile and cordless phones and the highest risk was for those with the longest latency for mobile phone use over 25 years.

The precautions, include using hands-free phones with the "loud speaker" feature and text messaging instead of phoning.


Talking on mobile is risky when driving but talking to friend in the car is less risky when he can also see the road

Mobile conversations are an enemy to safe driving. A new Canadian study from University of Alberta in Edmonton finds that drivers do best when they don't talk and simply focus on the road, if they must talk, it's better if the person they are talking to has his or her eyes on the road, too. That could mean either sitting in the passenger seat or via a specially designed videophone.

The study, published recently in Psychological Science, tested driver safety in one of four conditions, using a driving simulator.

1. A silent driver alone in the vehicle.

2. The driver accompanied by a passenger, where they engaged in conversation.

3. The driver speaking to someone on a hands-free cellphone with a standard audio-only connection.

4. The driver speaking to someone remotely with a one-way video connection. That connection allowed the person on the other end of the line to see both the driver and the driver's perspective of the road ahead, much as if they were a passenger in the car.

The study found

1. Nothing was as safe as driving alone in peace and silence.

2. Talking to a fellow passenger in the car was less safe than driving alone, but it was still safer than being on a typical, audio-only cellphone call, which tripled the odds for a collision compared to silent driving.

3. The videophone call was safer than having an audio call, and almost as safe as having a talking passenger sitting beside you.