No link between mobile phones and brain cancer, WHO-backed study says
A newly commissioned review by the World Health Organization (WHO) has concluded that there is no established link between mobile phone use and an increased risk of brain cancer. Despite the significant rise in wireless technology usage over recent decades, the study found no corresponding increase in brain cancer incidence among users, including those who frequently use their phones or have been using them for over a decade.
The comprehensive review, published on Tuesday, analyzed 63 studies conducted between 1994 and 2022. This analysis was carried out by a team of 11 experts from 10 countries, including the Australian government’s radiation protection authority. The research focused on radiofrequency exposure, which is utilized in mobile phones as well as other devices such as TVs, baby monitors, and radar.
According to Mark Elwood, professor of cancer epidemiology at the University of Auckland, New Zealand and co-author of the review, “None of the major questions studied showed increased risks.” The review evaluated various cancer types, including brain cancer in both adults and children, as well as cancers of the pituitary gland, salivary glands, and leukemia, among other risks linked to mobile phone use and related exposure.
This review adds to a body of work suggesting that the radiation emitted by mobile phones does not pose a significant health risk. Previous statements from WHO and other health organizations have similarly noted the lack of definitive evidence linking mobile phone radiation to adverse health effects, though the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) currently classifies radiofrequency as “possibly carcinogenic” or class 2B, reflecting a need for further research.
In light of the new data, the IARC’s advisory group has recommended a re-evaluation of this classification. The WHO is expected to release an updated evaluation of this issue in the first quarter of next year.
