Let
me start this update by first noting that there is no conclusive
evidence that cell phones can cause bosom cancer. That being said, I
would like to provide some recent information that adds to my concern
regarding the possible link between placing cell phones in direct
contact with the bosom and the risk of developing a bosom cancer.
In a previous article I reviewed the limited literature on the subject and presented two cases of young women who placed their cell phones in their bras for a number of years. Each woman developed multiple small bosom cancers directly below the area where the cell phone was placed on their bosom. In the past year I have learned of numerous similar cases including one male who placed his cell phone in his shirt pocket (he had no family history of bosom cancer).
Recently, I received an email from a mother whose 22 year old daughter was diagnosed with bosom cancer. The daughter had been storing her cell phone in her bra since she was 18 years old. She developed a lump directly below the spot where she placed her cell phone and a biopsy was positive for invasive bosom cancer. The mastectomy specimen showed multiple cancers below where the cell phone was placed. This young girl has no family history of bosom cancer and she has no other known risk factors. (For more information on this patient please see email below and the link to the family’s website).
Although there is no proof that prolonged cell phone contact with bosom skin produces an increase in cancer risk, I think there is sufficient reason for caution. First of all, the manufacturers state that cell phones should not be placed in direct contact with the skin. Also of note, is that younger women may be at greater risk than older women.
In a previous article I reviewed the limited literature on the subject and presented two cases of young women who placed their cell phones in their bras for a number of years. Each woman developed multiple small bosom cancers directly below the area where the cell phone was placed on their bosom. In the past year I have learned of numerous similar cases including one male who placed his cell phone in his shirt pocket (he had no family history of bosom cancer).
Recently, I received an email from a mother whose 22 year old daughter was diagnosed with bosom cancer. The daughter had been storing her cell phone in her bra since she was 18 years old. She developed a lump directly below the spot where she placed her cell phone and a biopsy was positive for invasive bosom cancer. The mastectomy specimen showed multiple cancers below where the cell phone was placed. This young girl has no family history of bosom cancer and she has no other known risk factors. (For more information on this patient please see email below and the link to the family’s website).
Although there is no proof that prolonged cell phone contact with bosom skin produces an increase in cancer risk, I think there is sufficient reason for caution. First of all, the manufacturers state that cell phones should not be placed in direct contact with the skin. Also of note, is that younger women may be at greater risk than older women.
