Frequent use of mobile phones is deemed unhealthy. One study supposed that it could cause cancer. However, according to a recent study, the first study has major flaws. Are mobile phones causing cancer or not?
Mobile Radiation Causes Cancer
According to News.com.au, one study examines the safety of using mobile phones to our ears for long periods. The study conducted a mobile radiation experiment in rats, where they learned that exposure to the said radiation can cause brain tumors in males. Strangely, they also learned that those that were not exposed died faster.
Mobile phones transmit the so-called non-ionizing radio frequency that is deemed to affect one's health. However, the potential risk it brings is slim. In fact, it is not as carcinogenic as taking beef. Dr. Otis Brawley, American Cancer Society's chief medical officer that the distraction caused by cell phones is more alarming.
Scientists Argued With the Results
Since the study yields interesting results, it captures the attention of many scientists as well. However, other researchers were perplexed with the results. Per the Daily Caller, the study linking cell phones use to causing cancer has major flaws. Among the concerns about the study is the controlled group dying earlier than those exposed to the mobile radiation. They are also wondering why only males were affected.
Per Stuff, the statistics accounted for the early death rate is missing, so as the information about randomization. This information is crucial for the results. Since there is a lot of missing details, some scientists deemed the results unreliable.
"I am unable to accept the authors' conclusions," said outside reviewer Dr. Michael Lauer, deputy director of NIH. "I suspect that this experiment is substantially underpowered and that the few positive results found reflect false positive findings." Lauer explained that the results showing the rats exposed to radiation surviving longer made him more skeptical per News.au.com
Per John Bucher, study author, despite the criticism, they publicized the results because the results were similar to previous studies that hint a potential issue. Meanwhile, per the Daily Call, the study was funded with $25 million, making it a well-funded research. Many health scientists and policy makers are waiting for it but it seems that there are still several issues that remain unsettled.
Bucher and Brawley said that they would not be changing their habits in using their cellphones.
What do you think, do you believe that mobile radiation is dangerous? Why did some researchers and scientists argue with the results? Why did the study come with several flaws? Is it reliable? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
