According to the Cellular Telecommunications and the Internet Association there were more than 303 million cell phone subscribers as of 2010 in the United States and an estimated 5 billion subscribers globally.
There are a few reasons that contribute to this wide worry. The main one is cell phones emit radio-frequency energy otherwise known as radio waves. The National Cancer Institute said the area where the cell phone is held can absorb that energy.
There are two types of electromagnetic radiation – ionizing, which is used in x-rays and can cause cancer, and non-ionizing, which is very low power frequency. Cell phones emit non-ionizing frequency and, while it’s not as strong as the ionizing, there is still speculation and research being conducted on whether long durations of cell phone use can lead to cancer or brain tumors such as gliomas.
The potential health risks are not affecting students’ relationship with their cell phones.
“This hasn’t really affected my behavior with my cell phone,” said Jessica Diaz, a junior
English literature major. “A lot of things are potential effects to causing cancer so this wasn’t really anything new to me.”
Diaz and other students have heard of the news but wouldn’t stop using their cell phones which they say is with them practically at all times.
“I have my phone attached to me all the time; I sleep with it next to me and at work it’s right next to me,” Diaz said.
“I can tell you that I’m addicted to my cell phone,” said Gloria Ordaz, a junior journalism major and Univision reporter. “I’m a person that’s always with it. A cell phone is a very helpful instrument for my job especially.”
“I’m aware that there is a possibility of cell phones causing cancer but I don’t think it will affect my cell phone use because now electronics have become a third hand,” said
Jesse Sanchez a senior journalism major. “We need them, we feel naked without them.”
Yolanda Santisteban, an advanced registered nurse practitioner for University Health Services at the Biscayne Bay Campus, said tests on the risk of getting cancer from a cell phone don’t get the same results.
“The result of numerous studies all over the world about the association between cell
phone use and cancer are conflicting and have inconsistencies,” said Santisteban. “There is currently no data on cell phone use and the risk of cancer in children. Therefore we should wait for more conclusive scientific evidence.”
There are many irregularities among the studies particularly because cellular technology
continues to change.
Some studies say that there could be a connection between certain brain cancers and long term cell phone use but that theory is still in the air. Researchers would need to conduct longer and thorough studies.
There is no scientific evidence that cell phones can lead to cancer or other health problems, according to the Federal Communications Commission.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer however, claims that radio frequency can “possibly be carcinogenic to humans” based on limited evidence and studies.
Jacob Gewirtz, professor and director of the Behavior Analysis Program, said the relationship between cell phones and cancer is all still a theory with no set facts. However, he added cell phones cause other risks which are mainly getting into car accidents because of the distraction they cause.
In case cell phone users want to reduce the risk, Santisteban provided some tips on on how to minimize radiation exposure.
“While experts will continue the research on cell-phone safety, users should hold the phone away from their head and body, use a speakerphone or hands-free headset, or
reduce the length of each phone call.”
Sanchez said the advantages are too important.
“The risk is minute compared to the advantages, yes, cancer is a big deal but the
advantages of having a cell phone puts you in a place to better advance your life,” said
Sanchez.
Diaz compared cell phones with the similar effects of medical tests.
“Medical tests that doctors do on patients at the hospitals have the same effect as a cell phone and they don’t stop using it either,” Diaz said.
Although Sanchez said the news wouldn’t affect his cell phone use, he said more concrete evidence could change that.
“I don’t think I personally would make a change unless things started to happen with more of the population being affected by cancer. If scientists can prove that then I think I will have a change in my behavior with cell phones,” declared Sanchez.
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