Message sent: No brain cancer link to cell phones

The cell (mobile) phone is arguably one of today’s gizmos most people can’t live without. But while it can make our workaday lives a lot easier, there’s been an undercurrent of fear that it may make our lives shorter.

Do not fear; hear this ringing revelation from what’s probably the most extensive study to date on the cell phone. Message sent: Ten years of using a cell phone, according to researchers, cause no increased risk of a tumor in the nerve connecting the ear to the brain.

Now, we can heave a collective sigh of relief. For now, that is. For according to a Reuters report picked up by msn.com, scientists, noting resonating public fears worldwide, "could not rule out a higher risk over a longer period."

Published in the British Journal of Cancer, the study zeroed in on the risk of acoustic neuroma or benign tumors which grow in the nerve connecting the inner ear and ear to the brain, near where handsets are held.

Aside from acoustic neuroma, the study also investigated other kinds of tumor and their possible association with mobile phone use.

This statement from Anthony Swerdlow of the Institute of Cancer Research comes loud and clear: "The results of our study suggest there is no substantial risk in the first decade after starting use. But whether there are longer-term risks remains unknown, reflecting the fact that this is a relatively recent technology."

Cancer Research UK’s Julie Sharp, for her part, is quick to note, "It’s important that researchers continue to monitor phone users over the coming years as mobiles are still a relatively new invention."

For this study, the Institute of Cancer Research gathered findings from Britain, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden – countries where cell phones came into early use. In the Philippines, this all-important (in more ways than you can imagine) gadget has been in use since the latter part of the 1990s.

Today, the cell phone connects nearly two billion people around the world. The world is certainly getting smaller every day.

The risk of mobile phone radiation has been a hot topic, what with previous independent studies pointing at its adverse effects on the human body, such as heating up the brain and causing headaches and nausea.

Amid these electrifying findings, the cell phone industry remains steadfast in its assertion that there is no conclusive evidence that electromagnetic radiation causes harm.

On the other hand, some experts say that in all the studies conducted, the numbers of long-term and heavy cell phone users are limited, thus making impossible any solid conclusion.

May this serve as a friendly ringing reminder to all.

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New consumer hotline

Paging all consumers! The Department of Trade and Industry’s consumer help desk has introduced a new hotline for consumer queries and complaints. The number to call is 751-3330.

"The hotline is DTI’s latest initiative to beef up consumers’ access to redress," says Undersecretary for Consumer Welfare Zenaida Maglaya.

The new consumer hotline is connected to five telephone units to enable the consumer assistance team to receive and facilitate more inquiries at the same time.

Undersec Maglaya adds, "This is also our way of enhancing our consumer feedback mechanism. These are crucial times for consumers; information coming straight from them will enable the DTI to act faster and further strengthen our efforts for consumer protection."

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Bill from the past

A consumer writes,

I would like to ask: How long should we keep old utility bills before we throw them away? For example, bills from Meralco, PLDT, Maynilad, Manila Water, to name some. That is, on the premise that these utility companies will no longer hunt us for bills already paid many years ago. Is there a ruling regarding this? Or will I just keep these bills forever? – Arnel

Here’s DTI’s reply:

The Bureau of Trade Regulation and Consumer Protection under the Department of Trade and Industry once encountered a complaint many years ago, which can serve as a priceless lesson to all of us. What happened was the water company handling the supply in a subdivision changed management and was billing the complainant for old water bills already paid 10 years ago. The complainant had no proof since he already threw away the receipts.

BTRCP’s advice: As responsible and vigilant consumers, the best practice is to never throw away utility bills as we never know when management will change. File them neatly for easy access when the need for them comes.

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