For years, concerns have circulated about mobile phones causing cancer. However, a new and comprehensive study debunks this myth, proving that mobile phone use is not linked to cancer. The study, commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) and published in Environment International, provides overwhelming evidence to reassure users that mobile phones and wireless technologies are safe.
What the Study Revealed
The review, led by Mark Elwood from the University of Auckland, examined over 5,000 studies, focusing on 63 of the most relevant studies from 22 countries. The research assessed various types of cancers, including brain, pituitary gland, and salivary gland cancers, as well as leukemia.
The conclusion? No increased risk of brain cancer was found, even for individuals with over 10 years of mobile phone use. Elwood noted, “There was no evidence to support any risk from mobile phone use or from broadcasting transmitters and base stations.”
How Mobile Phones Work
Mobile phones communicate using radiofrequency (RF) waves, a type of non-ionizing radiation. Unlike ionizing radiation, such as X-rays or ultraviolet rays, non-ionizing radiation does not have enough energy to damage DNA or body cells. Therefore, mobile phones do not emit dangerous radiation.
Wireless technologies like 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth also rely on radio waves, and none have enough energy to harm the human body. These myths about phones causing cancer have been debunked repeatedly by scientific evidence.
Why Some People Still Worry
Despite the evidence, health concerns about new technologies are common. During the COVID-19 pandemic, conspiracy theories circulated, falsely linking 5G towers to the spread of the virus. These worries are fueled by misinformation, even though scientific studies consistently show that mobile phones are safe.
As Keith Petrie, from the Department of Psychological Medicine at the University of Auckland, explained, “The evidence is clear: radio waves from mobile phones do not have enough energy to damage the human body.”
Conclusion: Mobile Phones Are Safe
While some health agencies are still cautious about officially stating that mobile phones are risk-free, the data is overwhelmingly clear. Mobile phone use is not linked to cancer, and the radio waves they emit are too weak to cause harm.
The myth that mobile phones cause cancer has been thoroughly debunked, and users can confidently continue using wireless technologies without fear.