Do you use your cell phone everyday, several times a day? If so, could it actually be killing you? Although medical professionals are still researching the long-term effects of cell phone radiation, many people report experiencing symptoms such as headaches and nausea after long periods of usage. Here’s what you need to know about the possibility of cell phones causing brain tumors.

My brain tumor story

I've been blogging about my brain tumor for over three years. Back in May of 2013, I wrote what turned out to be one of my most popular posts ever: The Truth About Cell Phones and Cancer, where I detailed everything that happened as well as present all of my research into whether cell phones might cause cancer or tumors. What I didn't share is that two weeks after writing that post, I found out that I had a low-grade brain tumor in my cerebellum.

What do we know about brain tumors and cell phones?

So, should you be worried about getting brain cancer from your cell phone? What do we know about brain tumors and cell phones? First off, it’s true that being exposed to ionizing radiation (the type emitted by sources like X-rays, nuclear fallout, and radon) can be a risk factor for certain kinds of cancer. However, even though there is no current scientific evidence that cell phones cause cancer in humans—and plenty that suggests they don’t—it is still recommended to practice caution with your device. Simply using a hands-free device when talking on your phone can greatly reduce your exposure to harmful radiation.

So, what are you saying - stop using your phone?

Although it’s not entirely clear that cell phones and brain tumors are related, there is enough evidence to suggest they could be. That said, you might want to think twice before putting your phone up to your ear for hours on end every day – if only for peace of mind. And if you’re worried about it, hold off on buying one for another couple of years until more research has been done. As tempting as new technology is, human health should come first in all cases. Now more than ever - we just don’t know what we don’t know yet.

How can I lower my risk?

The biggest risk with cell phones is using them while they’re charging, as opposed to when they’re just idling. Electromagnetic fields generated by wireless phone chargers are much higher than those emitted by cell phones themselves—and numerous studies have linked these types of electromagnetic fields to DNA damage and cancer. To reduce your risk, switch out your wireless phone charger for an old-fashioned corded one and limit how often you use your cell phone when it’s plugged in. This simple step can save you money on your electric bill—and may even save your life.

What if I already have a tumor - will turning off my phone make it go away faster?

Unfortunately, that's one of those questions where we simply don't know enough to be able to give you an answer. There have been no studies done that investigate what would happen if someone turned off their cell phone, and then developed a tumor. One study showed that turning off your cell phone caused rats' tumors to grow faster, but that was it. Nobody knows, says Dr. George Carlo, executive director of The Institute for Safe Wireless Technology and another outspoken critic of cell phones. But if you're worried about it, turn it off. He adds: If you want to lower your exposure even more than turning it off, use an RF-only headset or speakerphone for long conversations instead of holding it up against your head.

Final thoughts

There is no proven link between cell phones and brain tumors. But it's possible—even probable—that there could be an association in a small number of users. Cancer is not an easy disease to study, and we still have much to learn about how cancer develops and spreads in people. This means that we cannot conclusively state that there are no health risks from cell phone use. But researchers have conducted several studies on people who used cell phones for 10 years or more and found little or no evidence of increased risk for brain tumors. It's also worth noting that children under age 18 should only use a cell phone with adult supervision to limit potential exposures to harmful EMF radiation.