Cell phones put teens at risk

Bengaluru: Cell phones have today become an integral part of everyday life, especially among the teens. With hundreds of applications to use,  they can keep you busy all day, bringing the world to your fingertips. But their many benefits  come with  a health risk, particularly of a brain tumor.  

With June 8 being World Brain Tumor Day, city doctors are re-emphasising the risk of constant exposure to mobiles , especially to children.  Warns Dr Arun L Naik, senior consultant and neurologist at Apollo Hospital, “Cell phone radiation can have a serious effect on teens due to their excessive use of  smart phones. Owing to the free radical exposure there is a 100 per cent increase in the risk of brain cancer, especially among children , who have thinner skulls than adults.”

 Going by a study of childhood cancer by the National Health Portal (NHP), brain tumour is most common among  girls and in both sexes among adults in the country, although there is some variation among the states.

“The incidence of brain tumour has increased tremendously among children. It is one- and a -half times more when compared to the pre-mobile era,” notes Dr NK Venkataramana, founder  and chief neurosurgeon, Brains Neuro Spine Centre. In fact, of the 40,000 to 50,000 people diagnosed with brain tumours globally every year,  20 per cent are children.

Talking about the tumour symptoms in children, Dr Venkataramana says they include increase in the size of the head, asymmetrical growth of the skull, irritability, excessive crying, refusal to eat, excess weight loss, dullness and lethargy.

Dr. Arjun Srivatsa, senior consultant neurosurgeon, Columbia Asia Hospitals says while there is no direct link between lifestyle habits and brain tumour, they can adversely affect its prognosis. “If someone has a brain tumour, a balanced diet could help improve his or her immunity and make the  treatment more effective,” he explains.