By *Jomo Sanga Thomas
(“Plain Talk” March 28, 2025)
“Stick with your social and political commentary. You are much better at those. Leave the health issues to the doctors.” — Advice given by Justice Frederick Bruce Lyle at my call to the local bar in 2007.
Whenever I see a man walking around with his phone in his heart pocket or a young woman’s phone tucked into her bra or in the groin area of her hipsters, I cringe. As a crusader for good health and healthy living, I try to point out the dangers of these bad, but convenient habits. Most often, I am shrugged off with the disdain of ignorance, “You will die anyway. Something will kill you.” We will all die, but the quality of life we live is vital.
Some still disbelieve cell phones can be dangerous to our health. I have no doubt. Researchers like Dr. Devra Davis, the author of “Disconnect—The Truth about Cell Phone Radiation”, have concluded that cell phone radiation is not only dangerous but can be downright lethal.
Dr. Davis explains that the biological impact of our cell phone is not related to its power, which is relatively weak, but instead to the erratic nature of its signal and its ability to disrupt and interfere with DNA repair. One interesting case that can serve as an illustrative warning of the cancer-causing potential of cell phones is that of a young woman with no other predisposing risk factors for cancer who came down with multifocal breast cancer. As it turns out, the young lady had the curious habit of tucking her cell phone into her bra. Her doctors concluded there was only one other possibility that might have directly contributed to her breast cancer. They connected the dots, and the cancerous cells’ distribution lined up perfectly with the shape of her cell phone.
Regardless of the area exposed to the continuous radiation emitted by your cell phone, there’s the potential for harm, although certain areas are more vulnerable than others. There is evidence that wearing a cell phone on your hip may weaken an area of your pelvis. Using an X-ray technique employed in diagnosing and monitoring patients with osteoporosis, researchers measured pelvic bone density in men who regularly carried their cell phones attached to their belts. The researchers found that bone mineral density was lowered on the side of the pelvis where the mobile phones were carried, raising the possibility that bone density could be adversely affected by the electromagnetic fields emitted by cell phones.
Previous studies have found that cell phone radiation can affect men’s sperm count and quality, and this may be a far more significant issue than its effect on bone density. These findings have clear implications for the safety of extensive mobile phone use by males of reproductive age, potentially affecting both their fertility and the health and well-being of their offspring.
Men in particular may want to reconsider carrying their cell phones on their belts or in their pockets, in close proximity to their reproductive organs. In addition, there are a number of other sensitive organs in that general area, including the liver, kidneys, colon, and bladder — all of which are susceptible to radiation.
Researchers reported a sharp and alarming increase in the incidence of parotid gland tumors since the turn of the century. Your parotid gland, located closest to your cheek, where most people typically hold their cell phones, testified in the US Senate that cell phones were identified as a contributor to salivary gland tumours.
Cell phone subscriptions are now estimated at 5.9 billion globally or 87% of the world population. In 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO)/International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) issued a report admitting cell phones might indeed cause cancer, classifying radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” The classification came in part in response to research showing wireless telephones increase the risk for brain cancer. The UN report indicated that “the evidence is strong enough to support a conclusion that there could be some risk, and therefore, we need to keep a close watch for a link between cell phones and cancer risk.”
Sadly, children and teens are at the greatest risk as their thinner skull bones allow for greater penetration of cell phone radiation. The radiation can enter their midbrain, where tumours are more deadly. In addition, children’s cells reproduce more quickly, making them susceptible to aggressive cell growth.
Pregnant women would also be wise to avoid cell phones as much as possible. In 2008, researchers analysed data from nearly 13,000 children and found that exposure to cell phones in the womb and during childhood was linked to behavioural difficulties. Using handsets just two or three times a day during pregnancy raised the risk of their babies developing hyperactivity and difficulties with conduct, emotions, and relationships by the time they reached school age. The risk became even more significant if the children used the phones before age seven.
Experts in the area of the biological effects of electromagnetic frequencies (EMF) and wireless technologies believe there’s virtually no doubt that cell phones and related gadgets are capable of causing not only cancer but contributing to a wide variety of other conditions, from depression and diabetes to heart irregularities and impaired fertility. Dr Martin Blank, PhD, one of the most experienced researchers on the cellular and molecular effects of electromagnetic fields, explained that our DNA, with its ‘coil of coils’ structure, is especially vulnerable to electromagnetic fields of all kinds. These properties contribute to greater reactivity of DNA to electromagnetic fields than other tissues, making the long-term consequences of repeated microwave exposures to our genetic material of great concern.
It’s worth remembering that the telecommunication industry is much larger than the medical industrial complex and has far more influence than the drug companies. To peddle its wares, the telecommunication industry uses many of the same tactics as the tobacco industry, including attempting to discredit researchers who publish unfavourable cell phone studies.
Cell phones present significant health risks to everyone, especially to children and pregnant women. Therefore, it makes sense to take action now to protect yourself and your children.
This piece, with minor edits, was first published on April 28, 2015.
*Jomo Sanga Thomas is a lawyer, journalist, social commentator and a former Speaker of the House of Assembly in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The opinions presented in this content belong to the author and may not necessarily reflect the perspectives or editorial stance of iWitness News. Opinion pieces can be submitted to [email protected].
More unscientific fear mongering from Jomo Thomas.
According the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no scientific evidence that provides a definite answer to the question of whether cell phone use causes cancer. More research is needed before we know if using cell phones causes serious health damage.
Yes – cell phones and cordless phones use radiofrequency (RF) radiation to send signals. RF radiation is different from other types of radiation (like x-rays) that we know can be harmful. We don’t know for sure if RF radiation from cell phones can cause health problems years later. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified RF radiation as a “possible human carcinogen.” (A carcinogen is an agent that causes cancer.)
At this time we do not have the science to link health problems to cell phone use. Scientific studies are under way to determine whether cell phone use may cause health effects. It is also important to consider the benefits of cell phones. Their use can be valuable in an urgent or emergency situation – and even save lives.
Scientists are looking into a possible link between cell phone use and certain types of tumor. One type is called an acoustic neuroma.This type of tumor grows on the nerve that connects the ear to the brain. It doesn’t cause cancer, but it may lead to other health problems, like hearing loss. Another type scientists are looking into is called a glioma. This is a tumor found in the brain or central nervous system of the body.