As a scientist, a teacher, a neuropsychiatrist and cancer survivor who cares deeply about preventative public health issues, it is with pleasure that I write this introduction to the CHE-EMF "Noble Forum" series of invited perspectives.

In my recent book 'Anti-Cancer', I felt it important to add a final note about the recently breaking information with regard to cell phones. Existing epidemiological studies are insufficient to conclude definitively that the use of cell phones is associated with an increased risk of cancer and other health problems.  The most recent studies, though, which include subjects with a history of cell phone use of ten years or more, show a probable association with acoustic neuroma and some brain cancers on the side of the head where the cell phone is predominantly used.

The existing data suggest that it is important to publicize precautionary  measures for cell phone users.  These measures are important for people who are already suffering from cancer and who must avoid any external influence that may contribute to disease progression.  I hope you will join with me, and the CHE-EMF group to explore relevant questions of science, public health and public policy that should guide global debate on this important topic.

David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD

Clinical Professor of Psychiatry

University of Pittsburgh Center for Integrative Medicine

Pittsburgh, PA

Paris, France

Background on David Servan-Schreiber

David Servan-Schreiber, M.D., Ph.D. is a physician, neuroscientist and author. He is a clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He is also a lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine of Lyon I. He was co-founder and then director of the Centre for Integrative Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Following his volunteer activity as physician in Iraq in 1991, he was one of the founders of the US branch of Médecins Sans Frontières, the international organization that was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999. In 2002 he was awarded the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society Presidential Award for Outstanding Career in Psychiatry. He is the author of "Healing Without Freud or Prozac" (translated in 29 languages, 1.3 million copies sold) and "Anticancer, a New Way of Life" (translated in 33 languages, New York Times best-seller, 1 million copies in print) in which he discloses his own diagnosis with a malignant brain tumor at the age of 31 and the treatment program that he put together to help himself beyond his surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. He is also a regular columnist for Ode Magazine and other publications.  Having been treated twice for a malignant brain tumor, he is a leading figure in his engagement for integrative approaches to the prevention and treatment of cancer ; he popularizes his knowledge through teaching seminars, lectures, books, a blog and audio books (Wikipedia, 2009)