WHO Report Clears Mobile Phones of Cancer Link, Easing Public Health Concerns

In a landmark finding, a comprehensive review commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) has concluded that there is no link between mobile phone usage and brain or head cancers. This exhaustive study, spearheaded by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (Arpansa), scrutinized over 5,000 studies related to the potential health impacts of mobile phones, ultimately focusing on 63 observational studies published between 1994 and 2022. The review, described as the most thorough of its kind to date, assessed a range of cancers affecting the central nervous system, including brain tumours and salivary gland cancers. The lead author of the study, Associate Professor Ken Karipidis, articulated a clear message: “We concluded the evidence does not show a link between mobile phones and brain cancer or other head and neck cancers.” Key findings indicated no association between prolonged mobile phone use—defined as ten years or longer—and the development of cancer, nor was there a correlation between the frequency of calls or total duration of phone use and cancer risk. Karipidis expressed confidence in the results, noting that despite the surge in mobile phone usage over the past decades, the rates of brain tumours have remained stable. Mobile phones, along with various forms of wireless technology such as laptops and television signals, emit radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation. Karipidis pointed out that the term "radiation" often triggers concern, as it conjures images of nuclear exposure. He clarified that not all radiation poses a similar risk, with mobile phone emissions characterized as low-level radio waves that we encounter daily in our environment. Early studies that suggested a potential link between mobile phones and brain tumours were often criticized for their methodology, as they relied on self-reported data from individuals with tumours, who may have overestimated their previous exposure. This prompted the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) to classify radio-frequency fields from mobile phones as a "possible" carcinogen in 2011, placing it alongside various other substances with uncertain risk profiles, including pickled vegetables and aloe vera. The classification by IARC raised concerns among the public and garnered attention from prominent figures in the medical community, including Australian neurosurgeon Charlie Teo. However, subsequent studies, which utilized more reliable cohort designs rather than retrospective self-reporting, have largely alleviated these fears. In fact, a parallel WHO-commissioned review examining male fertility found no evidence linking mobile phone use to reduced sperm count, while a separate review regarding female fertility indicated associations only at exposure levels significantly above safety limits. Tim Driscoll, a professor at the University of Sydney and chair of the Australian Cancer Council's occupational and environmental cancers committee, praised the systematic review's robust methodology and maintained that the evidence suggests mobile phones are safe in terms of cancer risk. “I think people should feel reassured by this study,” he said, although he acknowledged the limitations of existing research. Looking ahead, Karipidis and his team have embarked on a follow-up study aimed at exploring cancers less commonly associated with mobile phone use, including leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He stressed the importance of ongoing research as technology continues to evolve, indicating that while current concerns may be alleviated, vigilance is necessary to ensure public health remains safeguarded. The findings of this review are likely to influence public perception and policy surrounding mobile phone usage, marking a significant step in understanding the health implications of modern communication technology.