You've heard it before: cell phones will cause cancer, going on the pill can make you fat, and cold weather can lead to the common cold. Are these rumors fact or fiction?

In 2007, Americans used more than 2 trillion cell phone minutes. Can all that time with the gadget next to your head cause brain cancer?

A study in 2000 funded by Wireless Technology Research LLC and NCI found no link between hand-held cell phones and brain cancer. The study, which looked at 891 men and women, revealed that brain tumors did not develop more than expected on the side of the head where users said they often used their cell phones.

"There's no evidence to show that cell phones cause cancer. The radiofrequency that the cell phones emit is much lower than some of the standard devices that we use everyday in our daily lives such as microwaves," said Dr. Vijay Reddy from the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute in Orlando.

Another common belief: once brain cells die, they are gone for good. But good news: humans do grow new brain cells.

A study by researchers at Rutgers in New Jersey revealed neurons in the hippocampus region of animal brains not only form, they also help create new memories.

"What we think happens is that people who really keep their brains very active build up a cognitive reserve," said Dr. Cynthia Holzer, director of geriatric education at Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, Rhode Island.

So, what’s the best way to keep the brain active and improve memory? According to experts at Rutgers, brain activity can be improved through exercising for 30 minutes, reading, or playing a musical instrument.

WEIGHT GAIN RUMORS

Gaining weight is a big fear for many women. Some fear the scale so much they won't take birth control pills.

"The modern birth control pills we have do not cause any weight gain, weight loss, or any change in weight at all," said Dr. D. Ashley Hill, the medical director of Loch Haven OB/GYN Group at Florida Hospital.

COLD WEATHER AND THE COMMON COLD

With the cold weather season behind us, you might be tossing out your old cold medicine.

But is cold weather really the cause for sore throats and runny noses?

No. This, too, is a myth. Experts say the only way to catch a common cold is through direct contact, like coughing or sneezing, with the virus.

“The fact that children get sick is a fact of life," said Dr. Vinny Chulani, a pediatrician at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

For More Information FloridaHospitalCancer.com