In many ways, cell phones may
make life easier. But you may worry that using a cell phone can raise your risk
of cancer. Scientists have been studying this question since more and more
people started using cell phones in the 1990s.
More than 400 million people in the United States and more than 5
billion people worldwide cell phones are now used. Every day, more people are
making more calls, and these calls are lasting longer. These are some of the
reasons people are concerned about the health effects of cell phones.
But are they? Here's what some expert agencies have to say:
- According to the FDA, neither study results nor public health statistics have proven that regular cellphone use raises cancer risk.
- According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, cell phone radiation is "possibly" a cancer-causing substance.
- According to the CDC, science hasn't provided a definitive answer, and more research is needed.
The bottom line is that no one can say for sure right now whether
there's a link between cell phones and cancer. Decades of research have yielded
contradictory outcomes. And scientists are still studying the issue.
However, if you're concerned, you can take steps to reduce the
amount of radiation your cell phone exposes you to. That radiation is what
might link cell phones to cancer.
Radiation From Cell Phones
Cell phones give off small amounts of radiation called
radiofrequency radiation, or radio waves. Non-ionizing radiation is the same
type found in FM radio waves and microwaves.
It's different from ionizing radiation, which comes from X-rays
and ultraviolet light. This type of radiation can cause chemical damage to your
DNA, raising your cancer risk.
The non-ionizing type found in phones isn't powerful enough to cause
DNA damage in your cells. Even yet, radiation can be absorbed by parts of your
body near your phone's antenna.
Because we often hold our phones next to our heads when making
calls, scientists have wondered whether this might lead to tumors in the brain,
ear, or neck area.
What Does the Research Say?
Many studies on cell phone use and cancer have been done over
several years. They include:
INTERPHONE study. Researchers from 13 countries looked at cell
phone use in more than 5,000 people with brain tumors and a similar group
without brain tumors. Overall, there was no evidence of a link between the risk
of brain tumors and:
- Cell phone use
- How often calls were made
- Longer call times
The researchers did find a slight increase in the risk of a
specific type of brain tumor in the 10% of people who used their cell phones
the most.
2019 analysis. Researchers analyzed the findings of several
studies and found no evidence that using a mobile phone increased the risk of
brain or salivary gland tumors (in the jaw). However, they couldn't say whether
the danger would rise in 15 or more years. They also weren't sure whether
children who use cell phones might have a higher risk of these tumors later on.
50-year review. A review of 22 studies between 1966 and 2016
suggested that people who'd used cell phones for ten years or longer had a
higher risk of brain tumors.
2018 trend research. Australian researchers compared cell phone
use to brain tumor trends across three-decade periods. They found no link
between brain tumors and cell phones.
Why Studies Can't Always Give Answers
Research can't tell us everything we need to know. Many studies
have built-in weaknesses that can affect how accurate their findings are. They
are as follows:
- The results of studies done on animals or cells may not apply to people.
- It's possible that people haven't been using cell phones long enough to know if they're linked to cancer.
- Other habits besides cell phone use may affect cancer rates, but these habits weren't studied.
- People don't always remember how much or how long they've done something, like using a cell phone. The results of a study may become less accurate due to this.
- Cell phone technology evolves and changes, which can impact study results.
- Because most studies are conducted on adults, their findings may not apply to children.
Tips for Safer Cell Phone Use
- If you're worried that your cell phone is raising your cancer risk, there are specific steps you can do to limit the amount of radiation it exposes you to. These include:
- Limit your time on the phone.
- Use the speaker, a headset, or a hands-free device instead of holding the phone to your head.
- Text instead of call.
- Look for a cell phone with a lower SAR or specific absorption rate. A lower SAR value could indicate that the phone generates less radiation. This information can be found in the user manual for your phone or on the manufacturer's website. Remember that the SAR is based on the phone operating at its highest power. That might not reflect how you use your phone.