What has renewed debate over the issue is the news that Sen. Ted Kennedy was diagnosed with a type of tumor that has been associated with cellphone use.

The story starts with three neurosurgeons talking to CNN's Larry King about how they don't put cellphones up against their ears, how they use earpieces or a speaker phone option. They say that is the safer way to use them.

Numerous studies have discounted any connection between cellphones and cancer and any supposed link has been largely dismissed by many experts, including the American Cancer Society.

The article goes on to say that doctors worry most about children using cellphones and facing years and years of exposure. The Federal Drug Administration does point out that the average period of phone use in many studies was about three years, so the research doesn’t answer questions about long-term exposures.

I'm not about to give up my cellphone. Until someone comes up with a definitive study about a valid connection between their use and cancer, I feel I'm safe.

But stories such as this do give me pause. I have colleagues and friends currently undergoing treatment for this horrible disease. And I do think about my 14-year-old daughter's increasing use of the devices. Maybe I should actually encourage text-messaging over the cellphone being constantly glued to her ear. Or, she could leave the house and meet her friends. In person.