Whether you’re a fan of Android, iPhone, or prefer a classic flip phone, there’s reassuring news about your mobile device’s impact on your health. A recent review commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) has found that cellphones do not increase the risk of brain cancer.
The review, detailed in a study published in the journal Environment International, analyzed over 5,000 studies conducted between 1994 and 2022. Out of these, 63 articles involving participants from 22 countries were examined. The findings suggest that exposure to cellphones, cordless phones, and broadcasting stations is unlikely to lead to brain cancer.
Dr. Manmeet Ahluwalia, chief scientific officer and deputy director at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, noted that while the potential link between cellphones and brain cancer is a “genuine concern” for some patients, the study’s results are reassuring.
How Cellphones Work
Cellphones operate by sending and receiving signals through radio frequency waves, which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies as a form of radiation. These waves are categorized as non-ionizing radiation, meaning they have lower frequency and energy compared to ionizing radiation such as x-rays or radon, which can damage DNA and potentially lead to cancer.
Research Findings
The WHO review, conducted by eleven researchers, concluded that cellphone use does not increase the risk of glioma, a type of brain tumor. The study also found no evidence linking cellphones to noncancerous tumors such as meningioma, which affects the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, or acoustic neuroma, which impacts the nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain. Additionally, the review found no increased risk of tumors in other areas, such as the pituitary or salivary glands, or an elevated risk of brain cancer in children.
Exposure to cordless phones and fixed transmitters, like broadcasting antennas, also showed no significant cancer risk increase.
Significance of the Study
While previous large studies have suggested a low risk of brain cancer from cellphone use, Dr. Ahluwalia highlighted that the WHO review’s comprehensive approach and its examination of all studies together provide added reassurance. He emphasized that, given our reliance on cellphones, this review helps ensure that their use does not pose a significant risk of brain tumors.
