It was in 2011 that the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization (WHO), sounded the alarm. It classified the radiation emitted by mobile phones as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” (group 2B). The announcement, although cautious, made headlines such as “Mobile phones increase risk of brain cancer” (BBC) or “WHO says mobile phone use may be carcinogenic” (Insalud). This helped to consolidate the collective belief that mobile phones and antennas caused cancer.
This left many users – that is, almost all of us – with the feeling that we were carrying around a small, silent device in our pockets that could give us cancer. Since then, we have seen how the use of these phones has exploded: different generations of telephony devices (4G and 5G) have followed one another, accompanied by a debate about their safety. Could these gadgets that we use every day be a danger to our health?
What science said then
The IARC decision in 2011 was not taken lightly. It was based on scientific studies showing some associations between mobile phone use and certain types of brain cancer, such as glioma and acoustic neuroma. However, the evidence was not strong enough and conclusive. The work had its limitations, and the IARC acknowledged this in its cautious announcement, leaving the door open for more research.
If you use a mobile phone, this news should reassure you.
However, for many, this “possible” was enough to worry or to assume it directly as a real risk. For others, it was a sign that the science was still uncertain and that further research was needed. It should be remembered that group 2B also includes, for example, aloe vera or naphthalene.
New Evidence: What Does Science Tell Us Today?
Today, an international group of scientists, led by Ken Karipidis, has published a study that reviews the evidence that has accumulated since the IARC review. This new work offers the most comprehensive, clearest, and most up-to-date view of what we actually know today about cell phones and cancer risk.
Karipidis’ team reviewed not one, not two, but 63 epidemiological studies conducted over the past 30 years, covering millions of people in 22 countries. In addition, it considered and analyzed the strength of each of the included works, also assessing possible biases that could affect its conclusions.
The result? The evidence shows no significant increase in the risk of developing the most studied types of cancer, such as glioma, meningioma or acoustic neuroma, associated with cell phone use.
They even looked at factors like the time since first use, the number of calls made, or their total duration. They also included other types of cancer or possible radiation from cell towers. With all this data, the scientists found no clear trend suggesting that cell phone use increases the risk of these cancers. Simply put, the most recent evidence suggests that cell phones probably don’t cause cancer.
What does this mean for you?
If you are one of the billions of people who use a cell phone every day and worry or have heard that it causes cancer, this news should reassure you.
Science, which has now had more than a decade to observe the effects of massive cell phone use, analyzing epidemiological series and exposure data, has found no reason to believe that there is a clear risk of cancer from using a cell phone or living near a cell phone tower. Moreover, this implies that the limits set by agencies such as the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) appear to be safe.
Science versus fear and noise
In a world saturated with information, alarming headlines can easily sow fear, especially when it comes to our health. We want to think that the belief of many people that these devices “could cause cancer,” a clear example of how media noise has distorted the perception of risk, is giving way to the peace that science should offer.
Science moves forward with caution. A single study is never enough to draw definitive conclusions; it is the body of research reviewed and validated, such as the one that inspires us today with 63 works included, that provides a clearer and more reliable vision. Even if this process may seem slow, it is crucial to avoid hasty claims and to ensure that our decisions and opinions are based on solid evidence.
This new publication allows us to move from a cautious “possible” to increasing confidence that mobile phones do not increase our risk. It is not the end of the debate, but it is a step forward toward a more complete, evidence-based understanding.
And now what’s next?
Of course, this does not mean that we should not continue our investigations. Technology and mobile use are constantly evolving, and scientists will continue to monitor any changes in public health trends. In Spain, for years, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Radiofrequencies and Health (CCARS) has been periodically evaluating the available evidence. The latest conclusions are consistent with its last report from 2020-2022.
The message should be clear: Use your device sparingly if you prefer, but there is no solid evidence that you should worry about an increased risk of developing cancer. Science, like the gadget in your pocket, is there to help you make informed decisions.
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About the authors: Alberto Najera Lopez He is a professor of radiology and physical medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of Albacete. / Jesus Gonzalez Rubio He is an associate professor of biostatistics, University of Castilla-La Mancha
This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original.
