Laptops and breast cancer risk

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I get nervous whenever my laptop is in my lap for an extended period of time. Anyone know much about radiation from computers and cancer risk? Any good products that actually work to block this?

Lisa

www.pinkkitchen.info

Comments

  • debbie6122
    debbie6122 Member Posts: 5,161
    edited November 2010

    I have often thought about that to lisa, scary isnt it!

  • Faith316
    Faith316 Member Posts: 2,431
    edited November 2010

    No radioactive anything in a laptop computer.

  • Ready2Win
    Ready2Win Member Posts: 175
    edited November 2010

    Hope not since I am sitting here with my laptop on my lap.

  • Husband11
    Husband11 Member Posts: 2,264
    edited November 2010

    Electromagnetic radiation, similar to a cell phone might be possible, but no where near as strong.

  • asschercut
    asschercut Member Posts: 159
    edited November 2010

    As far as I know the radiation emitted from these types of low energy radio waves are non-ionizing......unlike the stuff they zapped us with.Yell

    But they do emit thermal heat...so the blokes have to keep an eye out for their buddies down stairs. Apparently they can cause infertility in men. 

    Victoria

  • Hindsfeet
    Hindsfeet Member Posts: 2,456
    edited November 2010

    I've wondered about this as well. Most of the time, I don't put the laptop directly on my lap...use a laptop board/cooler.

  • Raj20
    Raj20 Member Posts: 1,112
    edited November 2010

    Lisa, when I bought my laptop sometime in 2009, I had enquired  from  the company about the  effects as I was so scared  but  they said there  is no risk. I never used the laptop on my lap but always using  a mall stand  on the bed and used it.

  • raincitygirl
    raincitygirl Member Posts: 3,143
    edited November 2010

    So it's probably not ideal to be resting it on my chest as I lay back on the sofa?

  • Husband11
    Husband11 Member Posts: 2,264
    edited November 2010

    A link between electomagnetic radiation and risks to health isn't well established.  Even electric blankets have drawn some concern and may increase the risk of miscarriages.  Fortunately the level of electromagnetic fields drops off rapidly with distance.  Some sort of spacer between you and the laptop would reduce the exposure significantly.  A pillow or bed serving tray?

  • turtle42
    turtle42 Member Posts: 139
    edited November 2010

    Check out this website. I bought one and I love it. I also bought one for each of my kids. The owner of the company developed it due to his mother having cancer. go to www.harapad.com. They even have a pink ribbon one where they donate some of the money to research.

  • sdstarfish
    sdstarfish Member Posts: 544
    edited August 2013

    Sorry, I temporarily dropped-off-the-face after I posted this. Thanks for all the input. This is going to sound weird, so just humor me...but when i sit for hours with my laptop in my lap (Hey - I'm in grad school! LOL), I could swear my ovaries feel wierd.

    Lisa

    www.pinkkitchen.info

  • LJ13-2
    LJ13-2 Member Posts: 235
    edited December 2010

    If your laptop is capable of affecting your breasts, I'd suggest you aren't using it properly.

  • sdstarfish
    sdstarfish Member Posts: 544
    edited December 2010

    Could you elaborate on that comment? Thanks.

    Lisa

    www.pinkkitchen.info

  • LJ13-2
    LJ13-2 Member Posts: 235
    edited December 2010

    It's a "lap" top, not a breast top.

    Laptops may adversely affect sperm count, because the heat of the battery is in close proximity to testicles. Laptops are not in close proximity to breasts.

    There is no strong source of RF to cause other havoc. The wifi would be about the strongest, and that is no stronger than your wireless router. LCD has no emission to speak of, other than the visible bandwidth.

  • impositive
    impositive Member Posts: 629
    edited December 2010

    Ummm, I believe she mentioned her ovaries, not her breasts and if your statement is true regarding testicles then I think it can hold true for ovaries as well.

    sdstarfish, I'm sitting next to my husband who also has his laptop. My laptop is just as close to my ovaries as his is to his testicles so you could be right!

  • sandilee
    sandilee Member Posts: 1,843
    edited December 2010

    The biggest problem for me with my laptop in my lap is my posture.  I sit in a comfy chair and tilt my head down, and it has created strain in my neck and back. Not good! 

      Now I've started sitting at the dining room table in a more supportive chair, and it seems to be helping.   

  • thenewme
    thenewme Member Posts: 1,611
    edited August 2013

    Does anyone have any research references, either for or against, any laptop-breast cancer (or ovarian or other cancer) connection?  Other than the posture-related and repetitive movement-related risks (but not cancer) Sandilee mentions, I'm not able to find  much to suggest any risk beyond typical background radiation.

    Here's a good resource on Radiation Exposure and Cancer

  • sdstarfish
    sdstarfish Member Posts: 544
    edited August 2013

    Thanks, impositive, for having my back Wink.

    Lisa

    www.pinkkitchen.info 

  • momto2angels
    momto2angels Member Posts: 289
    edited December 2010

    I had a feeling it wasn't a good idea when I saw my daughter sitting on the couch with her laptop on her lap!  I told her to have it on a table and never have it on her lap due to damage it might cause to her ovaries/eggs, etc. 

  • Fighter_34
    Fighter_34 Member Posts: 834
    edited January 2011

    My two cents in the New Year I plan on becoming less connected.

    The laptop has lived it's life cycle and I won't be replacing it with an IPAD. The old standard desktop will do.

    I won't be upgrading my cell phone, because I plan to talk less and read more. Good for knowledge anyways.

    Also I won't put my cell phone on my BODY any longer!!! It will go in the bottom of my purse  where it belongs.

    And I will not answer every FREAKIN call that comes in. That's what voicemail is for.

    I will not sit at my desk all day and work. I will get up and walk and walk and WALK!!!

    Okay I am off my soapbox now.

  • NatureGrrl
    NatureGrrl Member Posts: 1,367
    edited December 2010

    Fighter, I hear you... since my cancer dx I find myself less concerned about & interested in technology.  When I became aware of that I was suprised: a few years ago I loved all the new things coming down the pike!  Now I find that I'm just not that interested... my priorities have shifted.  I've never been glued to the phone and now that I only have a cell phone, I'm still not glued to it.  People get frustrated with me because they call and I don't hear it (I'm upstairs and it's down, or v. v., or some variation thereof) but my phone is for MY convenience, not theirs.  Like you said, that's what voicemail is for!  If I'm expecting a call or something important (or when my mother was ill/dying), that's a different matter, but most of the time I don't hesitate to even turn the ringer off.  I'm not concerned about the health effects of various gadgets (still waiting on some definitive research) but I just fine I'm more interested in other, less tech-oriented things.  Life is too short.

    Laptops or something similar are really convenient when traveling but if it weren't for that, I'd be desk-top all the way now.

    All that said, I find e-readers tempting :) but I'm a long ways from actually buying one.

  • sdstarfish
    sdstarfish Member Posts: 544
    edited January 2011

    Fighter, you are my kinda girl!!!

    Lisa

    www.pinkkitchen.info

  • Raili
    Raili Member Posts: 435
    edited January 2011

    My naturopath tells me that the "blue light" from laptops (and computers in general, the TV) interferes with melatonin levels, and thus, it's not a good idea to have "screen time" within the few hours before bedtime.  Low melatonin = increased breast cancer risk.

  • sdstarfish
    sdstarfish Member Posts: 544
    edited January 2011

    That's interesting. I do take melatonin every night, so that helps I suppose.

    Lisa

    www.pinkkitchen.info

  • strongmommy
    strongmommy Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2013

    You might want to get a Defenderpad. Its a laptop radiation shield that completely blocks all forms of radiation from laptops. It also blocks heat if your laptop gets hot.

  • vespersparrow
    vespersparrow Member Posts: 62
    edited April 2013

    I use a little free app called "f.lux" that removes the blue colors between sunset and sunrise.  Cool

    Hope it's ok to post the link!  http://stereopsis.com/flux/

  • sdstarfish
    sdstarfish Member Posts: 544
    edited April 2013

    Thanks for the links, strongmommy and vespersparrow. I have to admit, I've never thought of the blue color issue. I have been on the sight for the Defender Pad. Does anyone else have one of those?

  • strongmommy
    strongmommy Member Posts: 2
    edited April 2013

    No problem Laughing

    ~ Carly

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