Can you hear me now? If not, it may be because of that enormous tumor growing in your favorite cell phone ear. Yes, it seems that the cell phone cancer debate is far from over. I normally discount the self-appointed nannies in our culture who spend all their time fussing about the over-hyped “dangers” of modern life, like this summer’s tomato scare, and Time magazine’s “Summer of the Shark” a few years ago. But this time there may be legitimate cause for concern.

Although many authorities, such as the American Cancer Society (http://tinyurl.com/6ffrql), downplay the cell-phone cancer risk, several top doctors and scientists are not so certain. One of the most prominent of these authorities is Dr. Ronald B. Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute. Dr. Heberman recently sent a memo to his staff warning them to limit cell phone use. He claims that unpublished data suggests a link between cell phone use and certain cancers.

The problem is the electromagnetic radiation emitted by cell phones. Since cell phones have only been in widespread use for a few years, scientists are still unsure of the long-term health impact of holding a powerful microwave antenna against your head. Some studies suggest a link between heavy cell phone use and tumors that occur around the salivary gland or in the brain near the ear.

Aside from limiting cell phone use, Heberman suggests that people use an earpiece or the speaker-phone mode to avoid holding the phone against their head for long periods. He also urges parents to restrict their children’s cell phone use to emergencies. Because their brains are still developing and their skulls are thinner, children may be at an increased risk from cell phone radiation.You can read Dr. Heberman’s memo at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute web site: http://tinyurl.com/6cwn6r.

Several other prominent scientists are also urging caution, such as Dr. Siegal Sadetzki of Tel Aviv University (http://tinyurl.com/326kk8), Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Emory University Hospital neurosurgeon and CNN’s chief medical correspondent, and Dr. Keith Black, a surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles (http://tinyurl.com/6m5joa).

So, should you be worried? I think the evidence warrants caution. Besides, the world would be a better place if cell phone usage was curbed. Imagine dining out without some lout shouting into his cell phone at the next table, or working in the office without having to listen to your co-worker’s obnoxious ring tone (trust me, “Play that Funky Music” does not sound as cool as you think it does coming from your phone’s tiny speaker). And limiting exposure for children seems like a no-brainer to me. Does your six-year old really need a cell phone?

So my advice would be to read the warnings, determine how much risk you are willing to assume, and take appropriate action. It’s easy enough to avoid the danger, so why not? Even though the “Year of the Shark” was mostly hype, I still wouldn’t recommend swimming in the ocean with a raw steak tied around your neck, or with a cell phone. Sharks really hate “Play that Funky Music”.