Cellphone Use 'Possibly Carcinogenic,' WHO Says

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced today that cellphone use might be linked to an increased risk of developing gliomas, a type of brain cancer.

The organization convened a group of 31 scientists to evaluate studies done to date on the issue.

The evidence, while still accumulating, is strong enough to support classifying cellphone use as possibly carcinogenic, said group chairman Dr. Jonathan Samet, of the University of Southern California. This means there could be some risk, and additional research should be conducted, the group said.

However, the evidence for a link to gliomas is limited, the group said, and there is inadequate evidence to support any links to other types of cancer.

"Pending the availability of such information, it is important to take pragmatic measures to reduce exposure, such as hands?free devices or texting," said Christopher Wild, director of the WHO's International Agency for Research on Cancer.

One previous study found a 40 percent increased risk for gliomas among people who used cellphones for 30 minutes or more per day over a 10-year period. Other studies have found no link.

Cell Phones Don't Increase Brain Cancer Risk: Study Five billion cellphones are in use globally, the organization said.

Pass it on: The World Health Organization says the radiation from cellphones may increase the risk of a type of brain cancer.

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