An extensive study commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed that mobile phone use does not increase the risk of brain cancer. Despite the rapid growth in wireless technology use over the past decades, there has been no corresponding rise in brain cancer cases, according to the findings published on Tuesday, September 3. ALSO READ: Wireless radiation is a major health threat The study, led by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (Arpansa), analysed more than 5,000 studies conducted between 1994 and 2022. After excluding weaker studies, 63 scientifically rigorous studies were included in the final analysis. The research focused on radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation, which is emitted by mobile phones and other wireless devices such as baby monitors, TVs, and radar systems. Mark Elwood, a professor of cancer epidemiology at the University of Auckland and co-author of the study, explained that the review examined various cancers, including brain cancer in adults and children, as well as cancers of the pituitary and salivary glands, and leukemia. ALSO READ: Your concerns: Is frequent mobile phone use harmful? The research also evaluated the risks associated with mobile phone use, base stations, transmitters, and occupational exposure to radiofrequency radiation. “None of the major questions studied showed increased risks,” Elwood said. The study found no evidence of a link between mobile phone use and brain cancer, even among those who frequently used their phones or had been using them for more than a decade. This latest study is the most comprehensive review of its kind and supports previous conclusions by the WHO and other health bodies. These organizations have long stated that there is no conclusive evidence of adverse health effects from mobile phone radiation. However, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) had classified radiofrequency fields as possibly carcinogenic in 2011, raising public concerns. ALSO READ: Health : Brain tumours This classification placed mobile phone radiation in the same category as aloe vera and pickled vegetables—substances for which evidence of harm remains uncertain. Ken Karipidis, an associate professor and assistant director of health impact assessment at Arpansa, led the review. He emphasised that despite the rise in mobile phone use, brain cancer rates have stayed stable. “We concluded the evidence does not show a link between mobile phones and brain cancer or other head and neck cancers,” Karipidis stated. The study focused on cancers of the central nervous system, including the brain, meninges, pituitary gland, and ear, as well as salivary gland tumors. The analysis found no overall association between mobile phone use and cancer, no increased risk with prolonged use (over 10 years), and no link between cancer and the frequency or duration of phone use. Misunderstanding on nuclear radiation Karipidis noted that public concern about mobile phone radiation often stems from misunderstanding. People hear the term radiation and assume it is similar to nuclear radiation, but he clarified that this type of radiation refers to low-level energy that is part of everyday life. Though exposure from mobile phones is higher than from other wireless devices, Karipidis stressed that the levels remain low. He explained that early studies suggesting a possible link between mobile phones and brain cancer often relied on self-reported data, which can be biased – participants with brain tumors might overestimate their mobile phone use. The WHO study is part of a broader effort to assess the health impacts of radiofrequency radiation. Tim Driscoll, a professor at the University of Sydney and chair of the Australian Cancer Council’s Occupational and Environmental Cancers Committee, commended the study’s methodology. He reassured the public that the prevailing evidence supports the safety of mobile phone use, alleviating concerns about cancer risk. The WHO plans to release a full evaluation of radiofrequency radiation’s health effects in early 2025. Karipidis and his team are working on the second phase of the study, which will investigate other cancers, including leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. As technology advances, Karipidis noted the importance of continued research, highlighting that while current findings are reassuring, it is crucial to keep studying as new technologies emerge.
