Do cell phones legitimately increase the chances of brain cancer?  Well, it all depends on who you ask.  This summer, Ronald Herberman, director of the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, sent a memo to staffers warning them to limit their cell phone use and to use hands-free sets in the wake of "growing evidence that we should reduce exposure" to cell phone radiation. Among the possible consequences: an increased risk of brain cancer. However, five months later, a top official at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) told a congressional panel that published scientific data indicates cell phones are safe.  At a a hearing before the House Subcommittee on Domestic Policy, Herberman stated: "Long term and frequent use of cell phones which receive and emit radio frequency may be associated with an increased risk of brain tumors," Herberman told lawmakers. "I find the old adage 'better to be safe than sorry' to be very apt to this situation."  While Herberman might be right and his goal certainly means well, the debate is unimportant at this point.  Unless, there is substantial evidence that clearly links cell phone use to brain tumors and cancer, people will not curb their cell phone use. Cell phones are so engrained in our society, that taking them away would cause mayhem.  It has gotten to the point that people have no clue how anyone survived without cell phones.  Currently, the evidence linking cell phones to cancer is vague at best. A cell phone, and a household cordless phone, use a low level of microwave radiation to send and receive their signals.  Microwaves can pentrate tissue and cause it to heat.  Cell phones emit such a small amount of microwave radiation, however, that they cannot be directly linked to cancer and other tumors.  The information is too vague and is not well known, cell phone use will not be curbed.  Herberman may be content being "better safe than sorry" but most Americans are not. Even if someone were to prove that cell phones do increase the risk of cancer, I doubt every American would give up their cellphone.  Hopefully, Herberman is not right and cell phones do not cause cancer.  Otherwise, it would cause a national disaster.