A report commissioned by the World Health Organization has found no established link between mobile phone use and the development of brain cancer. 

The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), which conducted the review of more than 5000 studies, found that despite the increase in mobile phone use over the years, brain tumour rates remained stable and did not increase. 

Concerns about the potential link between radiation from wireless devices, such as mobile phones, and brain cancer have been an ongoing topic of discussion. 

Associate Professor Ken Karipidis, who led the review, said that when the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified radio wave exposure as a possible carcinogen for humans in 2013, it was primarily based on limited evidence from observational studies involving humans. 

“The findings of this systematic review align with previous research conducted by ARPANSA showing that, although the use of wireless technology has massively increased in the last 20 years, there has been no rise in the incidence of brain cancers,” he said. 

Prolonged mobile phone use, even for over ten years, was not associated with an increased risk of developing cancer. The amount of time spent on the phone, whether calling or scrolling, and how close the device was held to the head made no difference. 

Other sources of radio frequency waves, such as phone towers are not considered problematic because they emit non-ionizing radiation, which is a type of extremely low-frequency radiation.  

The ARPANSA’s final analysis based its findings on only 63 articles published between 1994 and 2022. Researchers concentrated on key types of central nervous system neoplasms, such as those affecting the pituitary gland, salivary glands, and blood. They also examined cases involving children, adolescents, and adults.  

The study is said to be the most comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the evidence to date.  

ARPANSA research scientist Rohan Mate hopes that people’s concerns about mobile phone radiation will be alleviated by the findings of the study. 

“We’re hoping that these results will be another way we can reassure them about their safety (and) hopefully relieve them of some of their anxiety surrounding engaging with technology.”

Photo: Serious young ethnic businesswoman talking on smartphone on sunny day by Ono Kosuki is available HERE and is used under a Creative Commons Licence. This image has not been modified.