An Open Letter from Traci Frantz On Cell Phone Safety

An Open Letter from Traci Frantz On Cell Phone Safety

My name is Traci Frantz and I live in Strasburg, Pennsylvania. On January 4, 2012 my daughter, Tiffany, was diagnosed (in Lancaster, PA) with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in her left breast. Tiffany submitted to genetic testing and, as a family, we underwent genetic counseling. Genetic tests including BRCA1, BRCA2 and TP53 tested negative. Therefore, there is no genetic pre­disposition to breast cancer. However, Tiffany stored her cell phone in her bra (against her bare skin) for at least 5 years, every day, all day (12 hours/day) and the masses that were found lined up exactly with where she stored her cell phone.

By November of 2012, Tiffany had a left mastectomy, radiation therapy and reconstructive surgeries (at Hopkins) and we were convinced that the cancer had been removed and obliterated by 6 weeks of radiation therapy. However, in March of 2013 it was discovered via PET scan and MRI (in Lancaster, PA) that Tiffany’s breast cancer had metastasized to her hip, pelvis, spine, sternum and
skull. Tiffany underwent surgery to insert a plate into her left hip as a stabilizer and 2 weeks of radiation to treat the tumor that was quite sizeable. She currently is undergoing monthly Zometa IV treatments (for 2 years) and daily Tamoxifen treatments (for 5 years).

We most recently (June 2014) have been informed that according to her latest PET scan, her cancer has metastasized to her liver.

The wording that is being advocated for is already in the owner’s manual which no one takes the time to read. Cell phone manufacturers KNOW there is a danger otherwise they would not include it in their verbage. We are only asking for it to be better seen by the consumer at the point of sale for the sole purpose of heeding caution and for nothing more. Have you and your family taken the time to read your owner’s manual? Have you and your family heeded the advice your cell phone manufacturer recommends?

I WISH there would have been a warning on the outside of the box for ALL of us to read ­ My daughter may not have to fight for her life if it were!!!

­ Traci Frantz