Debunking the Myth: No Link Between Cellphone Use and Cancer?
Steven Shin
September 2024
The rapid increase in cellphone usage over the past few decades has sparked significant public concern about potential health risks, especially the risk of developing brain cancer. Considering the usage of cell phones, even a slight increase in cancer risk could have significant public health implications. This concern has been particularly serious regarding brain and central nervous system cancers, as phones are often used close to the head. However, recent research offers stunning news: there is no conclusive link between cellphone use and brain cancer (Karipidis, 2024, p.33-39).
The potential danger of cellphone radiation originates from the fact that these devices emit radiofrequency energy, a type of nonionizing radiation. Nonionizing radiation is low-frequency and low-energy, so it is known to damage DNA and increase cancer risk, unlike ionizing radiation such as X-rays and cosmic rays.
The research suggests that energy from cellphone radiation is too weak to cause DNA damage, which is a key mechanism through which cancers can develop. The biological effect of radiofrequency radiation on the human body is a slight heating of the tissue in the area where the phone is held, but this heating is minimal and not sufficient to increase core body temperature or cause harm. Additionally, no increase in the incidence of leukemia or brain cancer was observed in children exposed to radio or TV transmitters or cellphone towers (Karipidis, 2024).
These findings are significant in of the fears that have lingered since 2011 when the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified radiofrequency electromagnetic fields as a possible factor that causes cancer. This past result is thought to be a bias that arose from distorted result analysis when individuals with brain cancer compared to those without. Nowadays, the newer generation of cellphone networks like 3G and 4G plays a role in reducing potential risks because they emit significantly lower levels of radiofrequency radiation compared to older networks (Karipidis, 2024, p.45). Moreover, the presence of more cellphone towers shows a decrease in the amount of radiation emitted from individual cell phones.
Over the years, cohort studies and case-control studies have been the primary methods used to conduct the experiment. Case-control studies compare cellphone use between individuals with tumors and those without, while cohort studies follow large groups of people over time to observe tumor development among cellphone users and non-users.
Another important aspect of the research is its consideration of the lack of evidence regarding the health effects of 5G networks. While no major studies have specifically examined the long-term effects of 5G, existing research on radar technology, which operates at similar frequencies, has not shown an increased risk of cancer (Safari Variani, A, 2019, p.7-9). This comparison provides additional reassurance to the public as new technologies continue to emerge and spread rapidly.
These findings emphasize a trend that the introduction of new technologies often initiates public fears about potential health danger. The most recent example of this phenomenon was the widespread but unproven belief during the COVID-19 pandemic that 5G cellphone towers were spreading the virus. This once led to attacks on cell towers in a few regions. Long-term research about new technologies can change the rapidly created fear and bias of crowds.
In conclusion, concerns about the potential link between cellphone use and cancer due to the widespread use of these devices arose, but recent research shows that this is not true. The WHO commissioned research including epidemiological studies has found no conclusive evidence that cellphone use increases the risk of cancer. The radiofrequency radiation emitted by cell phones is nonionizing and too weak to damage DNA. Plus, advances in cellphone technology, such as lower emissions from newer networks and the increased presence of cellphone towers, decrease any potential risks. As new technologies like 5G continue to appear, further research is essential to monitor long-term health effects.
References
[1] Karipidis, K., Baaken, D., Loney, T., Blettner, M., Brzozek, C., Elwood, M., … & Lagorio, S. (2024). The effect of exposure to radiofrequency fields on cancer risk in the general and working population: A systematic review of human observational studies–Part I: Most researched outcomes. Environment International, 108983.
[2] Safari Variani, A., Saboori, S., Shahsavari, S., Yari, S., & Zaroushani, V. (2019). Effect of Occupational Exposure to Radar Radiation on Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 20(11), 3211-3219. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2019.20.11.3211
