A new review commissioned by the World Health Organization has found no evidence linking mobile phone use to an increased risk of brain cancer.
The comprehensive review, published on Tuesday, analyzed global studies and concluded that despite the sharp rise in wireless technology usage, there has been no corresponding increase in brain cancer cases.
The findings apply even to individuals who frequently make long phone calls or have used mobile phones for over a decade.
The final analysis incorporated data from 63 studies conducted between 1994 and 2022. Eleven investigators from 10 countries, including experts from the Australian government’s radiation protection authority, participated in the review.
Co-author Mark Elwood, a professor of cancer epidemiology at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, explained that the review assessed the effects of radiofrequency radiation, which is used not only in mobile phones but also in televisions, baby monitors, and radar systems.
“None of the major questions studied showed increased risks,” Elwood stated. The review examined cancers of the brain in both adults and children, as well as cancers of the pituitary gland, salivary glands, and leukemia, in relation to mobile phone use, base stations, transmitters, and occupational exposure. Findings related to other cancer types will be reported separately.
This review aligns with previous studies. The WHO and other international health organizations have previously stated that there is no conclusive evidence that the radiation from mobile phones causes adverse health effects. However, they have called for ongoing research. Currently, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies mobile phone radiation as “possibly carcinogenic” (class 2B), a category used when a potential link cannot be entirely ruled out.
In light of new data since the last assessment in 2011, the IARC’s advisory group has recommended re-evaluating the classification as soon as possible. The WHO’s updated evaluation is expected to be released in the first quarter of next year.
