WHO Study Finds No Link Between Mobile Phone Use and Brain Cancer Risk

Highlights

• A WHO-commissioned review found no evidence linking mobile phone use to an increased risk of brain cancer.
• The review analysed 63 studies from 1994 to 2022.
• It examined various cancers and exposures.
• Although, the IARC classifies mobile phone radiation as “possibly carcinogenic.”
• The WHO has called for continued research.

We have some good news for all mobile phone addicts out there.

Mobile phones are often blamed for a lot of modern-day health problems, but we can cross off brain cancer for now.

Turns out your addiction to your mobile has no link to brain cancer.

A recent review commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) has found no evidence that mobile phone use increases the risk of brain cancer.

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (Arpansa) led the review.

The review analyzed 63 studies conducted between 1994 and 2022.

The finding shows that despite the widespread use of mobile devices across the world, there is no significant rise in brain cancer cases to draw any link or conclusions.

The study co-author and professor of cancer epidemiology at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, Mark Elwood revealed that the research focused on the effects of radiofrequency energy, used in mobile phones and other devices like televisions and baby monitors.

“None of the major questions studied showed increased risks”, Elwood stated.

He said, “None of the major questions studied showed increased risks.” The review looked at cancers of the brain in adults and children, as well as cancer of the pituitary gland, salivary glands and leukemia and risks linked to mobile phone use, base stations, or transmitters, as well as occupational exposure.

Moreover, it also studied exposure to mobile phone base stations, transmitters, and occupational exposure.

The recent WHO study finding aligns with earlier studies conducted in similar realms.

The WHO, however, has called for continued research on the long-term health effects of mobile phone radiation.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) currently classifies mobile phone radiation as “possibly carcinogenic” (Class 2B).

This designation means that a potential risk cannot be fully ruled out, though no direct link has been confirmed.

Since the IARC’s last review in 2011, new data has emerged, prompting the advisory group to recommend an urgent re-evaluation of this classification.

The study results will eventually be part of a broader WHO assessment expected in early 2024.

We can, however, expect more findings and data to emerge.

As for now, the study results should offer some respite to mobile phone users as the present evidence doesn’t indicate a significant health risk.

“We concluded the evidence does not show a link between mobile phones and brain cancer or other head and neck cancers. Even though mobile phone use has skyrocketed, brain tumour rates have remained stable,” said lead author Ken Karipidis in a release. The systematic review, led by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (Arpansa), examined more than 5,000 studies on the subject.

FAQs

Q1. Does mobile phone use increase the risk of brain cancer?

Answer: According to a recent study commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no evidence that mobile phone use increases the risk of brain cancer.

The study analyzed 63 studies conducted between 1994 and 2022 and found no significant rise in brain cancer cases linked to mobile phone use.

Q2. What did the WHO recently say about mobile phones?

Answer: The WHO study examined brain cancers in both adults and children, as well as cancers of the pituitary and salivary glands and leukaemia.

The study found no increased risks from these exposures, aligning with earlier studies.

However, the WHO calls for continued research on the long-term health effects of mobile phone radiation.