Prevention and Early Detection American Cancer Society - Essay Example

The creation of cellular phones has made our life easier in many ways, but this ease of life has come at the expense of our health. Cell phones are an undeniable reality of today's world. Similarly, the health risk caused by cell phones is also an undeniable reality. According to my research, cell phones indeed are causing health problems as well as psychological problems. I strongly believe that cell phones should be used only in important situations and even then, for as minimum time as possible; our social life is not more important than our life and therefore cell phones should not be used as a means of lengthy social interactions but rather as a means of emergency contact. Cell phones should not be banned, but its' usage should be limited. Can you remember the last time you walked down the street, or sat in a caf, or engaged in any public activity and did not see a cellular phone In just about every public place a cell phone would be visible as would be ring tones of the latest sound track and in different languages. Cell phones have become so common that it is likely to see a group of friends hanging out together but each engaged in a conversation with someone else on their cell phone. The use of cell phones cannot be avoided, whether it's a business man calling to check on his appointments, or a mom calling to check on her kids, or just teenagers calling to talk with friends; whatever the reason might be, cell phones are being used by just about everyone. Who is using and why they are using cell phones are the obvious questions with simple answers. The main question to address then arises, is using a cell phone really dangerous and what can we do about it It is important to note that cellular phones are still considered a new invention and it is too soon to tell if serious health problems are really caused by using such devices. However, a lot of research has been conducted in the past few years and many of the researchers are having a controversial debate to the severity of the problems caused by cell phones. According to www.cancer.org, "some recent studies have suggested that long-term use of cell phones may increase the risk of acoustic neuroma, a rare tumor that develops in the nerves near the inner ears."1 Even though this study has not been hundred percent certified as of yet, it is still something serious to look into. Would you really like to continue using cell phones thinking there is a possible you might develop a "rare tumor" All of a sudden, the prospect of having long conversations about nothing in particular does not seem very appealing. There are many ways to deal with this problem though. Just because a suspicion tells us that there is a possibility of a health-risk does not necessarily mean we should all panic and throw out our phones. As indicated by the Food and Drug Administration Center for Devices and Radiological Health and the Federal Communications Commission, "If there is a risk from these products -- and at this point we do not know that there is -- it is probably very small." 1 For those users who are still not convinced and suspect that cell phone poses a great threat to their health, they are advised to limit their cell phone conversations. Another helpful way to prevent health issues is to wear a headset instead of putting the cellular to your ear, that way the cell phone itself has less direct contact to your head and cell tissues. 1 Yet, there are other sources that state the risk of health-related problems from cell phones is neither a suspicion nor a myth, but rather a fact. According to British physicist Dr. Gerald Hyland, "If mobile phones were a type of food, they simply would not be licensed."2 That is a very strong statement to make about an obvious safety question and concern. In another cancer related website, Dr. Gerald Hyland is quoted again and this website does not talk about mere suspicions but rather addresses the matter in a very serious manner. To focus on why cell phones are possibly considered unsafe, the website explains that the cell phones, because of their small structure, have to emit a small amount of electromagnetic radiation and these signals emitted thru radio waves, which are comprised of radio-frequency (RF) energy (which is a form of electromagnetic radiation).3 Now, the problem is that since oftentimes phones are placed close to or directly against the head, and thus this can cause a direct contact with the tissues in the head, possibly causing brain cancer or tumor. Certain precautions can be taken to lessen the risk of any danger resulting from cell phones. For instance, there is a website that allows users to check their RF exposure level. Supposedly, United States government has set requirements for safety that all wireless phones sold to not have Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) greater than 1.6 watts per kilogram.4 And once again the same precautions have been reiterated; if you are still suspicious of the dangers of cell phone then it is advised to limit the time you talk on cell phone and distance yourself from the cell phone itself by wearing a headphone. Thus, once again there is no actual scientific proof to determine how dangerous cell phones exactly are. A research is still being conducted in the United States as well as other countries to reach a conclusive agreement. But is it worth taking the risk Should we talk for hours on our cell phones assuming it is safe; or is it better to take precautions and limit our conversations on cell phones until some scientific research can ascertain it is indeed safe A rising concern today is the access and availability, as well as necessity, of cell phones to kids. In a 2000 Medical News article, it is observed that, "An estimated 80 million Americans have cell phones today, including kids who carry them to help parents stay in touch."5 But do kids really only use cell phones to contact their parents Or has it become a trend to use cell phone as one of the necessity of the twenty-first century How can cell phones be restricted from kids Will kids understand the severity that might be of concern to their health Since kids have already become accustomed to cell phones, it will be nearly impossible to convince them to no longer use cell phones. Until further research does not prove that cellular phones do not threaten the health of its users, some action has to be taken to help the kids. Cell phones were only made easily accessible a few years back, and it is too soon to decide what long-term effect these cell phones can have. Another serious issue has been brought up with kids using cell phones; cheating. In an article, it has been stated, "With continuing technological advances, the cell phone has become an all-in-one device, taking on several roles in communication, photography, and gaming...trend has also added cheating among the list."6 The concern slightly shifts from health-related problems to social behavioral problems. Dependency on cheating on exams can lead to suspension from school and other failures. When the issue of cell phones concerns kids, it is not just health that is a question. Social behavior also becomes a very prominent problem. Scientific research has not been able to determine the validity of the suspicions of health risks caused by cell phones. However, data has proven that students are using cell phones to cheat. Cheating is not acceptable in any institution or in any circumstances. Cheating has not only been reported in United States, but also in other countries worldwide. For example, "in Thailand, forty-six students were banned from the military for life after they tried to cheat in an army entrance examination by concealing cell phones in their shoes." 6 This is an extreme measure taking in account the students' challenging attempt to bring cell phones to a military examination! Yet, there is also a third major issue that arises with cell phones. Text-messaging, which is a very important feature of most cell phones, has been possibly speculated to cause psychological effects. "There is emerging a clear but untested assumption that young people are both the driving force behind and at the same time the slaves of a growing text messaging culture."7 One of the reasons might be the easy facilities of text messaging. Text messaging is instant, location independent, and personal. Oftentimes private messages have to be urgently delivered, and text messaging becomes that source. But this alienates to some extent verbal communication and thus leads to lack of understanding as well. For instance, youngsters listening to blaring music pick up their cell phones to text their friends and communicate; this leads to dependency on nonverbal communications.7 Cell phones have also accommodated Instant Messaging and browsing the internet. Basically, a cellular phone has almost everything possible to keep a person busy; from games, to chatting, to camera, and browsing internet. Though it is not proven, the innumerable uses of a cell phone and the dependency on it can raise questions on the social and psychological state of those addicted to it. The problems caused from cell phones are prominent, yet inconclusive. Arguments can be made on both sides arguing the safety and dangers of excessively using cell phones. However, I feel the risk is too great. As the old saying goes, it is better to be safe than sorry. There's a possibility that cell phones can cause cancer, and the possibility is enough for us to take precautions. Talking on the cellular phone for hours for no particular reason is not necessary; especially for kids. However, cell phones cannot be banned. It is a fact that in today's fast growing and sometimes dangerous world, having a cell phone can be a plus in personal safety. So, if cell phones are necessary and at the same time a possible health threat, then what solution seems to fit best The best thing to do is spend more money on validating a research that can satisfy the public concern regarding cell phones. But for the meantime, it should be made mandatory with each purchase of a cell phone that a pamphlet be included to indicate the possible health factors in question. This is especially essential for the younger kids who might not be informed of such risks factors. Maybe if such a pamphlet were included, the public will take more precaution and place health above questionable technology. Works Cited 1) Unknown author, Revised February 8, 2006, Prevention and Early Detection American Cancer Society March 3, 2006 from 2) Dr. Mercola, Joseph. If Mobile Phones Were a Type of Food, They Simply Would Not Be Licensed The Lancet March 3, 2006 from 3) Unknown author and date, Cellular Phones Increases the Risk of Brain Cancer-News: How Cell Phone Radiation Works. March 1, 2006 from 4) Unknown author and date Wireless Federal Communication Commission March 4, 2006 from 5) Davis, Jeanie L. May 18, 2000 Just How Safe Are Cellular Phones WebMD Medical News from 6) Unknown author March 2, 2005 Students Using Cell Phones for High-Tech Cheating Mobiledia March 4, 2006 from 7) Reid, Donna and Fraser February 2004 Insights into the Social and Psychological Effects of SMS Text Messaging University of Plymouth March 1, 2006 from Read More