ANA Discussion Forum
AN Community => AN Community => Topic started by: Mei Mei on June 01, 2011, 04:35:40 am
-
This was in today's Washington Post Headlines and yesterday's ABC News:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/cell-phones-possibly-carcinogenic-who-says/2011/05/31/AGRktZFH_story.html
Mei Mei
-
Hi MeiMei :)
Saw the same report... and it's for Gliomas (brain cancers), not AN's, based on the update. I know the report has garnished closer attention since it came out of the WHO.... and as you know, there has been numerous discussions here re: cellphones and brain tumors (overall, including AN's).
IMO, it's very difficult to determine exact causes, esp radiation-related, of brain cancers. My sister died of a malignant brain tumor... but back in 1969 and never used a cellphone. An increase in the number of gliomas since cellphones have been widely used? Can't answer......
The ANA has noted their stance on this issue on their homepage... and will be interesting to see if anything more is said, esp. since the report is noting brain cancers.... and nothing concrete to AN's in particular.
Still on the fence on this one.
WHO is still recommending use of hands-free use and I'm in line with that recommendation. Always use my speakerphone (esp. when driving... never put the phone to my ear!) and keep the phone away from my head.
IMO, the debate continues. I've moved this topic here to help keep the debate lively.... as we know... it will happen.
Have fun!
Phyl
-
Saw this study, as well. As a "victim" of nasopharyngeal radium irradiation as a teenager following a tonsillectomy, which is known to increase the chances of developing an acoustic neuroma, I read all of these reports with great interest. My AN did not develop until many, many years after the initial known exposure.
Like Phyl said, this latest report is talking about gliomas ..... not ANs. However, it is prudent to be ever cautious about what could be proven to be a problem many years from now.
In that regard, since I now have only one remaining "good" ear, last week I ordered a radiation-free headset to use with my IPhone. See: http://lifebluetube.com/headsets/life-blue-tube/bluetube-mono-hook.html There are several different kinds on the market. Amazon has several different kinds, as well. It just makes sense to minimize any exposure to radiation. What is worrisome is the number of young people who have their phones to their heads for long periods of time.
Just my two cents.
Clarice
-
Acoustic Neuromas are mentioned
Here is the official release. Acoustic Neuromas are mentioned in the report
http://www.iarc.fr/en/media-centre/pr/2011/pdfs/pr208_E.pdf
Of note
"Results
The evidence was reviewed critically, and overall evaluated as being limited among users of wireless telephones for glioma and acoustic neuroma"
'Limited evidence of carcinogenicity': A positive association has been observed between exposure to the agent and cancer for which a causal interpretation is consideed by the Working Group to be credible, but chance, bias or confounding could not be ruled out with reasonable confidence."
-
Hey Clarice,
Thanks for posting that link for the radiation free head set - I'm going to order one! I've used a wired headset for years, long before I ever heard of an acoustic neuroma. I tried a blue tooth for a while, but it drove me crazy and I seemed to lose it constantly. At least it's harder to misplace a wired set.
Debbi
-
Yes, the report in the Washington Post says Gliomas AND Acoustic Neuromas
I use the EMFSafetyStore.com to get insulated headsets. The non insulated headsets just carry the radiation up to your head. I also bought 2 feet of film to cover my microwave and my one cordless phone base. My father's friend's son is now secretary of energy and doesn't own a microwave.
The least EMFs the better. I took out the LED display alarm clock out of my bedroom as I don't need 8 hours of the emissions while I'm asleep either. Got myself an old fashioned one.
Mei Mei
-
I am constantly surprised how many AN newbies there are on our "little" community. It seems awfully high considering ANs are supposed to affect only 1% of people.
I remember my doctor told me the AN takes about 10 years to grow, approximately the same amount of time I had used the cell phone and on the same ear. I also think pregnancy hormones increased the growth of my AN since I was pregnant when I first noticed something wrong. I've also noticed this with some of our other members.
That said. The least EMFs the better.
Which brings me to my concern re: SoundBite Hearing Aid. The Behind the ear piece transfers sound information "wirelessly" through the head to the mouthpiece. Of course, everyone I spoke to regarding my concern said it wasn't dangerous.
My two cents,
Carolyn
-
My two cents. I never even had a cell phone until about 2 years prior to being diagnosed with an AN.
And once I did get a cell phone, I used it very rarely (to me a cell phone is a necessary evil - wouldn't carry one if I didn't have to).
Since ANs are typically very slow growing, I'm highly doubtful my AN was caused by a cell phone.
Jan
-
I am also doubtful. My symptoms go back to before I had a cell and I use my left ear with the phone. My AN is on the right. Remember the saccharine scare years ago?
Caroline
-
I had some high doses of radiation when I was about 4 years old following a concussion that had me hospitalized with amnesia ... I am not sure what all they did to me ... I remember IVs and alot of xrays with IV going as they xrayed me and as soon as they finished xrays the IV came out ... they did this several times ... put me in a tube restraint ... not because I was resiting them but to keep my head still ... Mom was trying to locate old records from hospital in Alaska to figure if there is a link to my AN ... I figure that what's done is done and not overly worried about finding the records ...
I didn't have a cell phone until I had my AN .. I got a cell phone it to stay connected to home when I was going back and forth to Nashville about 100 miles away ... interstate driving most of the way and with the cell if I got caught in traffic and was running late I could call to let them know I was OK... so my AN caused a cell phone ...
I did listen to the report on this mornings news and they had the same recommendations ... cell phone used on speaker or with insulated head set ...this morning my husband said "I wonder what it does to reproductive organs being carried in pockets or belt clips ? or any organ for that matter " ...
-
Please be mindful of all the weasel words in the study and report. Lots of "mays" and "mights."
Also, perhaps more importantly, cellphones are in the category of other cancer-causing agents as:
Coffee
Pickled vegetables
Magenta dyes
Gasoline
Engine Exhaust
Safrole (oil from Sassafras root)
Styrofoam cups
http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/06/02/coffee-pickled-veggies-also-possibly-cause-cancer/
By all means, follow the common sense guidelines for cellphone use. Do what makes YOU feel MOST comfortable. I have almost always used a wired headset for any conversation of length because I am lazy and my arm gets tired holding up one of those heavy buggers. I am still looking for a compatible unit for my BAHA.
However, while I won't go so far as to say life would not be worth living without my cellphone, I will say that it would probably not be worth living without coffee, pickles, kim chi, and traditional root beer.
Some things are too precious to give up. ;D
-Tod
-
...bunk!
Enjoy your cell phone and worry instead about getting cancer from Hot Dogs...that at least is plausible!
;)
Doc
-
I'm with Doc on this one.
Yes, cellphones MAY/POSSIBLY/MIGHT/COULD BE/ a cause of brain cancer or acoustic neuromaa but there is little more in this WHO press release than pure speculation and a whole lot of caveats. Of course, we should all take sensible precautions that make us feel safer when using a cell phone or any device that emits electromagnetic waves. I hardly ever use my cell phone and I'm not terribly concerned about my microwave, either, but if anyone is, they should certainly do whatever they think is prudent to ensure their well being. I think this whole cell phone/AN controversy makes little sense based on the fact that ANs were being discovered long before cell phones were invented. However, I'm not a scientist or doctor so I can't offer credible opposition, just my opinion - and the realization that I could be wrong - and that other people will hold a different opinion. So be it.
Jim
-
I also have to put my two cents worth in.
The Omaha World Herald reported that WHO had said that cell phones caused cancerous tumors such as gliomas and acoustic neuromas.
Since when is an acoustic neuroma a cancerous tumor? It's most commonly benign! I love our media today. They have to sensationalize everything. My father was a newsman...that's right, a newsman...not a news anchor. He was a jack of all trades, master of none. He worked in radio and television for over 30 years. I took journalism in high school. What the press does to our news today is a crime. It's done to sell papers or to get the highest ratings on television or radio. One always has to wonder exactly what the truth is and when it's government info that the common man cannot get access to, we are at their mercy.
Common sense...people who have a cell phone stuck to their ear 24/7 may have problems in future years. They are the ones that should be using hands free devices. The rest of us who use our phones only as needed are probably safe.
My AN was in my left ear. I always use my right ear to talk on the phone...go figure!
-
agree with DocB, Jim, ddaybrat, etc....... as with everything in life that can cause cancers, I refuse to be an ostrich with my head in the sand.... life is too short and I'm going to enjoy it while I'm on G-d's green earth!
Had chocolate... sorry!
Phyl
-
I would be more inclined to believe this if they were talking about regular landline cordless phones. I use them frequently at work and at home, and have been for a long time. I have never been much of a cell phone user.
Lisa
-
I went to emfsafetystore.com and bought some film to cover my landline cordless phone base, microwave and computer screens.
Mei Mei
-
For the longest time I disbelieved the 'cell phone'/schwannoma connection until I began my research into RF waves. I did not have a cell phone like most here, but for many years used a cordless phone to my left ear. I also had a microwave oven that was, yes, placed into a cabinet at a level equal to my head (on my left also) and not even considering it was harmful, used this frequently 'back in the day'! Remember the 'walkman'? I had one of those too. Remember transister radios? Had one of those too (waaayyyy back) that we would all gather around to listen to, inches from our head, at the pool during the summer, blasting away our favorite song! Ahhhh, those were the days now weren't they! Anyway, I digress.
My investigation into RF waves are because my town has been installing Smart Meters. I am not happy about this and put up a 'stink' with our power company to stop this meter going onto my home. They are complying with my wishes for now due to my brain tumor and all my research data regarding RF waves and EMF emissions provided to them from Sage Report. Yes, of course, they threw at me the everyone uses a cell phone, the FCC says, blah, blah, blah, says it's safe and all, but.....In light of this new WHO finding, I am glad I put up a stink! These meters emit 160 x's the radiation levels of a cell phone.
-
agree with DocB, Jim, ddaybrat, etc....... as with everything in life that can cause cancers, I refuse to be an ostrich with my head in the sand.... life is too short and I'm going to enjoy it while I'm on G-d's green earth!
Had chocolate... sorry!
Phyl
My Mom buys into everything she heres and things I am being an ostrich by not worrying more ... I have life to attend to and listen with half an ear to sensationalized articles... I don't have time to worry about every little thing that can harm me ... I figure I am more likely to get smashed flat by a 1000 pound cow than to get cancer from my rarely used cell phone ... have a friend that logs more minutes in a month than I use in a year ... she may have a problem ...
OK .. going to go stick my head in the sand or not according on how you want to look at it ... girls have been shaking our small Bradford pear trees to make cicadas fly out in clouds ... stirs the cats up ... may go help them before hopping in hte truck and heading out
-
I'm fully behind you. When I was a kid back in the 50s they used to x ray our growing feet at the shoe store. Suddenly all of that stopped. My friend now 62 was a radiologist and she had to retire on disability because she went blind about 20 years ago. The x ray technician yesterday said this used to happen a lot to radiologists when they had to look directly into the x ray. They fortunately don't do this anymore. I wrote to an acquaintance that I've been in touch with in California and is part owner of Sonitus and asked about the EMFs with the Soundbite. He sent me a long explanation which made me feel better, but now I'm more seriously considering the TransEar. Don't have any personal contacts at TransEar to give me any EMF information though. I had a cell phone several years back that used to get hot while i was on the phone. I also slept with my phones in the bed so that I could get calls from my daughter late at night. Then switched to a Blackberry and six months later got the DX that I had an AN. My father's friend's son is a winner of a Physics Nobel Prize and I remember that he doesn't have a microwave. You really don't need one; it's just more convenient with one.
Years ago I took out of my bedroom the alarm clock radio with the LED display and now just have a simple battery run one.
Help yourselves by keeping your life as free from EMFs as possible. I don't know what I am going to do now about the utilities taking out the meter on my house. I didn't know there was a choice in the matter and admire you for putting up the good fight.
Mei Mei
-
In response to the recent press reports that link cell phones to cancer, ANA has updated our statement regarding cell phones and acoustic neuorma, including a release from Dr. John M. Tew, Jr., University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute, and ANA Medical Advisory Board Co-Chair. You can view the latest information on our website in our News section.
I know that you all know this - but in recent press reports that link cell phones to cancer, there have been references to acoustic neuromas being in the risk category. Acoustic neuroma is NOT a cancerous brain tumor - it is a benign, non-malignant brain tumor, which is NOT a form of cancer.
Best Wishes--Judy
-
Mei Mei,
Start with your Utilities Commission, this is where I started. They regulate your Utilites Company. I told them I am a brain tumor patient and did not want a potentially harmful meter that emits rf waves greater than what is being purported as safe. The FCC has been found to be disingenuous on a Internet Broadband report called 706 Report. Now if they can do this, what is keeping them from 'skewing' the reports for safety when it comes to these meters?! There's all sorts of info on the dangers of Smart Meters, just do a search. My point of contention is if these meters are so great, why over in Europe do they complain about the costs they were sold on, are they not saving? Why in the States Utah and California the same complaint--the savings are not there. There seems to be a health risk involved with EMF's and RF waves, no big savings, so why are we changing over to these meters?! More control perhaps? That is all I can come up with. That is where the benefit is, to the company that owns these meters, not to the people that have them on their homes.
Besides, who on this site went to the FCC to see about their brain tumor?! This is what I told my power company! FCC is not the company to go to for health issues, nor is the EPA! The last published standard by the FCC was 1999! The EPA hasnn't overseen RF radiation reports since 1990's. Besides, here's some more you can use the Smart Meter Safety Coalition is currently under investigation by WHO as a possible carcinogen. Now if this isn't enough to ask that your power company come up with an 'opt out' for you, then I would start with your town counsel? Perhaps they can help? I don't know how long I am on this 'opt out', but I'm pretty sure not for long as they said, "These meters are going in everywhere and there's nothing you can do about it, they will be going in all over America!" Nice! Sigh!
-
Here’s a thought Mei-Mei...spend that time getting your nails done...a better investment in your quality of life if you ask me!
Take Care!
;)
Doc
-
In follow up to Judy (Vittucci/ Exec Dir of the ANA), please see the full statement she references (ie: the official stance by the ANA by Dr. Tew) here on the ANA Website homepage:
http://www.anausa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=142:cell-phones-and-acoustic-neuroma&catid=51:news (http://www.anausa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=142:cell-phones-and-acoustic-neuroma&catid=51:news)
Phyl
In response to the recent press reports that link cell phones to cancer, ANA has updated our statement regarding cell phones and acoustic neuorma, including a release from Dr. John M. Tew, Jr., University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute, and ANA Medical Advisory Board Co-Chair. You can view the latest information on our website in our News section.
I know that you all know this - but in recent press reports that link cell phones to cancer, there have been references to acoustic neuromas being in the risk category. Acoustic neuroma is NOT a cancerous brain tumor - it is a benign, non-malignant brain tumor, which is NOT a form of cancer.
Best Wishes--Judy
-
I'm very grateful to Judy Vitucci and all who work diligently with her to get the message out. Granted the tumor is benign contrary to what ABC News said a few nights ago and I knew he was incorrect, but it still takes hours of surgery cutting your head open and it changes your life.
I was talking with a developer of the SoundBite last night and he reassured me that the EMFs were not that high. He sent me a lengthy email in detail, so I feel better about the Sound Bite now.
Mei Mei
-
In my case, I think my AN was more likely caused by taking methotrexate for treatment of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis than by using a cell phone. Sure, my AN grew on the side that I used to answer the phone, but I hardly ever use it. Necessary evil, as someone else said.
I will try to use it on speaker phone more often, though.
-
My husband had never used a cell phone before his AN was discovered. Can't be the cause of his!
-
Fact: Cell Phones are Dangerous.
Cell Phones Kill, and cause serious injury and harm to their users, and innocent people nearby.
Approximately 1:10,000,000 are killed by cell phone use every year.
1:10,000 have been injured or exposed to a potentially lethal situation as a result of Cell Phones use
Now if we can just stop texting, talking, facebooking on the darn thing while we drive imagine how much safer we would all be.
;D
Right now the link between tumours and mobile phone use remains weak, but requires further investigation.
Even if a link is found, it appears the increased odds of acquiring a tumour will be small.
We put ourselves at far greater risk of being injured by a mobile phone everyday either through our use while driving, or others using their phone while driving.
-
Thank you. You are right on. I'm happy for your straightforward comments.
Mei Mei
-
I would be more inclined to believe this if they were talking about regular landline cordless phones. I use them frequently at work and at home, and have been for a long time. I have never been much of a cell phone user.
Lisa
Now, this theory makes a lot more sense to me than the cell phone theory; but I still tend to believe it's more a case of "sh*t happens".
Jan
-
Fact: Cell Phones are Dangerous.
Cell Phones Kill, and cause serious injury and harm to their users, and innocent people nearby.
Approximately 1:10,000,000 are killed by cell phone use every year.
1:10,000 have been injured or exposed to a potentially lethal situation as a result of Cell Phones use
Paul
Pls cite your source for these stats. Would like to know. A link would be helpful.
thanks.
Phyl
(thanks MeiMei for the spell check! :) )
-
I wonder if there has been a sharp increase in ANs in the last 5 - 10 years, since the beginning of "everyone has a cell phone".....? Or is it too early to gather the statistics?
B.
-
Phyl my post was partially in jest.
Looks like the real statistics are even more scary than the ones I posted.
Found this link
http://www.livescience.com/121-drivers-cell-phones-kill-thousands-snarl-traffic.html
and this
http://www.edgarsnyder.com/car-accident/cell-phone/statistics.html
and this
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/12/earlyshow/main6086546.shtml
-
There has been an increase in AN's over the last 10 years.
What isn't clear is if the cause of the increase is from some sort of external influence eg mobile phones.
Or of the increase is due to better detection and awareness, and increased use of MRI's, as well as incidental detection.
eg have an MRI for a car crash and an AN is detected.
-
Hey Paul! Thanks for the links. Interesting reads. For me, too early to tell and the jury is still out on this issue.
Phyl
Phyl my post was partially in jest.
Looks like the real statistics are even more scary than the ones I posted.
Found this link
http://www.livescience.com/121-drivers-cell-phones-kill-thousands-snarl-traffic.html
and this
http://www.edgarsnyder.com/car-accident/cell-phone/statistics.html
and this
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/12/earlyshow/main6086546.shtml
-
There has been an increase in AN's over the last 10 years.
What isn't clear is if the cause of the increase is from some sort of external influence eg mobile phones.
Or of the increase is due to better detection and awareness, and increased use of MRI's, as well as incidental detection.
eg have an MRI for a car crash and an AN is detected.
I read early in my AN journey , that most patients that die as a result of an AN don't know they had it and it is found post mortem ... and have also read that the increase in numbers of AN reported was most likely due to better detection ... mine was found accidentally while investigating bells palsy and ruling out a mild stroke ... my surgeon said over half of the ANs that came to him were found while investigation something else ...
I am not ruling out the phone connection , but I think AN origins will always be a bit of a mystery
-
Can't resist commenting. Mom (me) with AN; son (now 26) with a glioblastoma diagnosed at age 23. So, how's that for really bad luck?
Anyway, neither of us were heavy cell phone users. He never got one until he was 17 and was still in the male teenage mumble-no talk mode. I always used phone on other side of head (from AN). His neuro-oncologist said the data was questionable at best. Not to worry. Nevertheless, perhaps there is a familial weak gene that made the 2 of us more susceptible. Using speakerphone or headphone whenever possible, and eating lots of broccoli and blueberries.
Wish we could have more control over the uncontrollable....
-
Just back from the Symposium and there was a Yale Geneticist who said the data is not back yet on the Cell Phones but that
Here are my notes from Elizabeth Claus who I found most interesting because I am so interested in Genetics:
She said that the cell phone issue is still under consideration but that the issue of radiation in dental x rays (ionizing radation factors) leaves you at greater risk for tumors This is dose dependent upon age, the younger you are the greater the risk. That dental xrays are a problem and I sure have had my share of them as an affluent NY high tech kid. I also had my feet xrayed at shoe stores so I would have been better off being in a third world country and not have my feet x rayed in a long Island shoe store.
That's all for tonight, but I wanted to report the most significant infor. I heard at the information.
Hugs to you all and hoping to see you in LA 2013.
Mei Mei
Elizabeth Claus PhD MD Yale and Brigham and Women’s Hospital Brain Science Foundation
registration of benign tumors began in 2004
CBTRUS 6% of the brain tumors of the US
SEER registry data
Ionizing Radiation Risk Factors Sole environmental risk factor for brain tumors dose dependent, dependent on age, the younger you are the greater the risk.
CT Scans
Dental x rays 3.5 increasing risk for ANs
PICU
Airport Screening
decreased risk (significant) for AN with tobacco use
Cell phones no data for association yet in the Short Term
10 years or more under study Jonathan Samet
Microwave News.com
Glioma and acoustic neuromas
-
As Mei Mei said, the very latest word at the symposium is that so far there is a lack of long-term data to conclude any connection to cell phone use.
Yale is in the process of obtaining a grant to do a comprehensive long-term study using DNA samples. Many hurdles with costs and medical privacy issues but hopefully it will eventually lead to some concrete data for causes of ANs.
Clarice
-
cakulmom, you mentioned genetics. I am very interested in the genetic connection because of my situation. I had surgery for an acoustic neuroma in November, 2010 and when I had my follow-up MRI in March, they said I had another tumor in my salivary gland on the opposite side. It turned out to be a parotid gland tumor and I had surgery for it in May. It was benign and the same schawnomma as the AN. Because of it being the same kind of tumor, I have to go for genetic testing in August. It it turns out to be genetic, my two boys will have to be tested and then we watch. So I was very interested in what Dr. Claus had to say at the symposium. Sandy
-
I, too am interested in the genetics. I was diagnosed by a geneticist in March as having Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and she thinks my two daughters have it from my description of them. She wants to see them. Go to google and look up Ehlers Danlos. It might help in your medical care if you do have it.
Mei Mei