UAE | Health
Mobile phone cancer alert for children
Children under 14 years of age should not use mobile phones as they are more vulnerable to cancer-causing risks, a cancer specialist here said.
- By Nina Muslim and Mariam Al Serkal, Staff Reporters
- Published: 23:14 September 28, 2007
- Image Credit: Illustration: Luis Vazquez/Gulf News
- Dubai residents said they were aware of cancer risks associated with mobile phones, but differed on how risky it is to use them.
Dubai: Children under 14 years of age should not use mobile phones as they are more vulnerable to cancer-causing risks, a cancer specialist here said.
"I do not recommend mobile phones for children because they are growing and their risk to prolonged exposure is higher," he said in response to British researchers who said mobile users had a risk of cancer.
"The impact is bigger on them because they are growing ... so they are always more susceptible to disease at that age," he added.
The researchers said in a study that cancer risks remain due to lack of conclusive data and UK Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme (MTHRP) said mobile phone users get more brain and ear cancers, but that the numbers are statistically insignificant at present. It analysed data from 28 studies conducted since 2000.
Dr Fareed Khalifa, head of oncology at Dubai Hospital, said he was not surprised by the programme's conclusions, and told Gulf News people should be cautious of any new technology and its impact on health.
"Studies have not found a direct link between cancer of the brain or the ear so far, but we cannot conclude they are safe until we have repeated studies," he said.
One of the difficulties cited by the programme researchers in finding conclusive proof for or against mobile phone use is the lack of long-term mobile phone users, those who used the gadget for over a decade. Cancers usually show up 10 to 15 years after initial exposure. Dr Khalifa said until there was more information, people should limit their mobile phone use to essential purposes.
"People should not use them for entertainment like what they are doing now, until there is more evidence of brain and ear tumours or any other diseases that may be discovered in the future," he added.
Dubai residents said they were aware of cancer risks associated with mobile phones, but differed on how risky it is to use them.
Alia Hussain, an Emirati, said she was worried about the side-effects of talking too long on her mobile phone, something she does while stuck in traffic.
"When traffic is bad, I easily spend half an hour on the phone. I sometimes wonder about the consequences," she said.
Samar Abdul Rahman from Palestine rubbished the idea, saying, "I don't believe in this nonsense ... I don't use the mobile phone that much, and even less when I'm driving so I don't think that I have to worry about anything."
Have your say
Do you believe that the use of mobile phones can make children vulnerable to cancer-causing risks? Would you advise your children or other children you know against using mobile phones?
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