WHO Review Finds No Link Between Mobile Phones and Brain Cancer
A new review commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) has found no evidence connecting mobile phone use to an increased risk of brain cancer. The study, which analyzed 63 studies conducted over nearly three decades, provides reassurance amid the widespread use of mobile phones and wireless technology.
Despite the significant rise in mobile phone usage over the years, the review found no corresponding increase in brain cancer cases. This includes individuals who use mobile phones extensively, including those who have been using them for over a decade, according to Reuters.
Published on Tuesday, the review examined 63 studies conducted between 1994 and 2022. The research was conducted by 11 investigators from 10 countries, including specialists from the Australian government’s radiation protection authority.
The review examined the effects of radiofrequency radiation, which is emitted by mobile phones and other devices such as TVs, baby monitors, and radar. Professor Mark Elwood, a co-author of the study and a cancer epidemiology expert at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, noted, “None of the major questions studied indicated increased risks.”
The analysis assessed various types of cancers, including brain cancer in both adults and children, as well as cancers of the pituitary gland, salivary glands, and leukemia. It evaluated risks associated with mobile phone use, base stations, transmitters, and occupational exposure to radiofrequency radiation. Additional cancer types will be covered in a forthcoming report.
This review is consistent with previous studies that have found no definitive link between mobile phone use and cancer. Both the WHO and other international health organizations have previously stated that there is no conclusive evidence of harmful health effects from mobile phone radiation, though they have advocated for continued research to monitor any potential risks.
Currently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies mobile phone radiation as “possibly carcinogenic” (Class 2B), a designation used when there is insufficient evidence to completely dismiss a potential link. Given the new data available since the last assessment in 2011, the IARC’s advisory group has recommended a re-evaluation of this classification as soon as possible.
The WHO is expected to release its updated evaluation in the first quarter of next year, which will provide further clarity on any potential health risks associated with mobile phone use.
