Thursday, June 13, 2013
Do cellphones really cause cancer? by Kim Komando
Q. I saw a video online recently about a young girl who thinks her cellphone gave her breast cancer.
Do you think this is possible? If it is, are there any ways to limit the amount of radiation we get from a cellphone? Thanks for everything you do, Kim!A. Thanks for bringing up this question, Eve. I've seen the video you mentioned. For those who haven't seen it, click here to watch the video on my site.
It follows a girl in her early 20s battling breast cancer. For years, she had tucked her phone into her bra for easy access. Doctors later found a tumor in the exact spot she carried the phone. Scary!
So, could the cellphone actually be the culprit?
The debate over that question has been going on for years. I don't see it ending anytime soon.
Keep in mind that I'm not a scientist or a doctor. Before you make any decision, you should talk to your doctor.
So, why are cellphones being linked to cancer? It's because cellphones produce radiation.
Radiation is a word that immediately worries people. It brings to mind atomic bombs, Chernobyl and X-rays.
So before we go any further, I should explain what radiation is.
Radiation is simply electromagnetic waves, such as light, radio waves, microwaves, X-rays and gamma rays.
Now, there are two different kinds of radiation - ionizing and non-ionizing.
Ionizing radiation is high-energy radiation, such as X-rays, gamma rays and ultraviolet rays. It's what you'll find in a nuclear power plant, medical scanner or outside on a summer day.
Ionizing radiation damages your cells very quickly, which is why sunscreen is important. It's also why you wear a lead vest when taking X-rays. The doctors are limiting your body's exposure.
Non-ionizing radiation includes visible light, microwaves and radio waves. These don't naturally have enough energy to hurt your cells.