A new review commissioned by the World Health Organisation (WHO) has found no evidence linking mobile phone use to an increased risk of brain cancer. This study, which analysed research from around the world, provides reassurance amid the widespread use of mobile phones and wireless technology.
Despite the massive increase in mobile phone usage over the past few decades, the review found no corresponding rise in the incidence of brain cancers. This includes individuals who use mobile phones for extended periods, even those who have been using them for over a decade, Reuters reported.
The review, published on Tuesday, examined 63 studies conducted between 1994 and 2022. The research was carried out by 11 investigators from 10 countries, including experts from the Australian government’s radiation protection authority.
The review focused on the effects of radiofrequency radiation, which is used in mobile phones, as well as other devices like TVs, baby monitors, and radar. Professor Mark Elwood, a co-author of the study and an expert in cancer epidemiology at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, stated, “None of the major questions studied showed increased risks.”
The analysis looked at various types of cancers, including brain cancer in both adults and children, as well as cancers of the pituitary gland, salivary glands, and leukemia. The review considered the risks associated with mobile phone use, base stations, transmitters, and occupational exposure to radiofrequency radiation. Other cancer types will be addressed in a separate report.
This review aligns with previous studies that have also found no definitive link between mobile phone use and cancer. The WHO and other international health organisations have previously stated that there is no conclusive evidence of harmful health effects from the radiation emitted by mobile phones. However, they have called for ongoing research to monitor any potential risks.
Currently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies mobile phone radiation as “possibly carcinogenic,” or class 2B. This classification is used when there is not enough evidence to completely rule out a potential link. Given the new data since the last assessment in 2011, the agency’s advisory group has recommended that this classification be re-evaluated as soon as possible.
The WHO is expected to release its updated evaluation in the first quarter of next year. This will provide further clarity on the potential health risks, if any, associated with mobile phone use.
