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Cell phones up mouth cancer risk

An Israeli study reports that people who use cell phones for many hours a day are 50 percent more likely to develop mouth cancer than those who never use cell phones.

They also found that cell phone users in rural areas may be at increased risk for cancer because cell phones need to emit higher levels of radiation in order to make contact with fewer available antennas.

The Tel Aviv University study looked at 500 people with benign and malignant tumours of the salivary gland and 1 300 healthy people.

The results of the study
People who used cell phones for many hours a day were 50 percent more likely to develop a tumour of the parotid gland than infrequent users, they reported.

The parotid gland - the largest salivary gland - is located near the jaw and ear, where cell phones are typically held during use. The findings appear in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

Many previous studies have found no link between cell phone use and increased cancer risk. But the author of this new study noted that Israelis were quick to adopt cell phones and are exceptionally heavy users. – (HealthDay News) - February 2008

Read more:
Call for more cell phone info
Cell phone use ups tumour risk

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