Since the advent of cell phones, researchers have wondered if there is a correlation between their use and cancer. As of now, the answer is clearer.
Cell phones and radiofrequency (RF) waves
Cell phones give off a form of energy known as radiofrequency (RF) waves. RF waves are at the low-energy end of the electromagnetic spectrum – as opposed to the higher-energy X-rays – and they emit a type of non-ionizing radiation. In contrast to ionizing radiation, this type does not cause cancer by damaging DNA in cells.
“There is no evidence in existing research to support the idea that exposure to non-ionizing radiation from cell phones causes biological effects that could cause cancer in humans,” says Tim Rebbeck, PhD, director of the Center for Global Health at Dana-Farber. The only consistently recognizable biological effect of RF energy is heat. If RF radiation is absorbed in large enough amounts by materials containing water –such as food, fluids, and body tissues –it produces heat that can lead to burns and tissue damage.
“Non-ionizing radiation is very weak. It doesn’t penetrate the skin or other materials,” Rebbeck says. “Ionizing radiation – for example, the kind of radiation found at the Chernobyl disaster – has very powerful radiation which leads to numerous biological impacts, including DNA damage, among other cancer-causing effects.”
How does my exposure to the phone impact my risk of cancer?
Many factors affect the amount of RF energy a person is exposed to, such as the amount of time spent on the phone, the model of the phone, and if a hands-free device or speaker is being used. The distance and path to the nearest cell phone tower also plays a role. The farther a person is from the tower, the more energy is required to get a good phone signal. The same is true of areas where many people are using their phones and excess energy is required to get a good signal.
It is also important to note that cell phones, while they can overheat, don’t reach temperatures that a person would be exposed to long enough to cause a burn, because when they do overheat, they shut down to cool off.
“Any symptoms that might have occurred, such as inflammation or burns that would have any effect on cancer risk, would be noticed by the user and we would all be aware of those dangers,” Rebbeck says. “They just don’t happen.”
Rebbeck also adds that RF radiation is nearly impossible to avoid, but the amount of RF radiation emitted by phones is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to ensure the safety of the communication infrastructure. Generally, newer phone models emit less RF radiation due to technological advancements and stricter control by the FCC.
What does current research say about cell phones and cancer?
Current research suggests that there is no link between cell phones and brain cancer, even with more than 10 years of exposure, according to a 2024 WHO meta-analysis. Since the non-ionizing radiation is very weak and does not penetrate tissues like the brain, it does not have the ability to cause DNA damage that would otherwise cause cancer.
“One might ask, for example, why skin cancers are not found more commonly where cell phone exposures might be greatest? If they are causing DNA damage or other effects that might cause cancer, why would the skin be protected when the brain is not?” Rebbeck adds.
Additionally, brain tumor rates have remained stable overtime, and even with the introduction of electronics, there is currently no strong epidemiological evidence that would suggest cell phone use has affected these rates.
Other studies conducted in animals, for example, might have shown an association between 2G and 3G radiation — types of non-ionizing RF-radiation — and DNA damage. However, the data has not been validated by other studies. Rebbeck says that more recent higher 4G and 5G radiation studies in animals have no associations.
What are some safe measures to take?
Having a cell phone and using it every day does not mean an individual will get cancer, but having a phone can get in the way of daily healthy habits.
Be sure to establish these habits around phone usage:
- Be mindful of your phone usage and establish phone-free time
- Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day
- Get at least 7 hours of sleep away from the phone: Even though sleeping next to your phone won’t cause cancer, your phone’s blue light and notification activity can negatively affect your sleep.
- Maintain in-person social arrangements and relationships with family and friends
Disinfect your phone: Your phone gets dirty, make sure to clean it regularly.
Learn more about brain tumors from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Of course cell phones don’t cause cancer. Their emitted radiation energy levels are far too low to ionize DNA. As to the speculation in the article about whether RF might cause cancer in some circumstances, better to be more specific when you have a genesis modality in mind rather than engage in vague possibilities. I also think that a cell phone that could cause cancer by burning you would hardly get one use before disposal. Also, if RF could cause cancer, visible light could and the human race would never have evolved.
I don’t understand why large scale studies with great expenditures of time and money are done producing uncertain results when physics has had the answer all along.
How about melanoma on or near the ear?