New WHO-backed research clears mobile phones of cancer concerns

iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-

Research conducted by Australia’s nuclear and radiation safety agency has found no evidence linking mobile phone use to various types of cancer.

The study, commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) and released on Tuesday, February 4, concluded that radio wave exposure from mobile phones has no association with cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma, and cancers of the thyroid and oral cavity.

This marks the second systematic review conducted by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) for the WHO. The first review, published in September 2024, focused on mobile phone use and brain cancer, finding no connection.

Ken Karipidis, the lead author of both studies and assistant director of Health Impact Assessment at ARPANSA, stated that the latest research analyzed all available evidence regarding mobile phone use, mobile phone towers, and cancer risks.

While the review found no connection between radio wave exposure and the cancers studied, Karipidis noted that the team couldn’t be as certain about the findings compared to the previous study on brain cancer due to the limited evidence on the other types of cancer.

Rohan Mate, an ARPANSA scientist involved in the study, emphasized that these findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge about the health effects of wireless technology.

The two reviews will play a key role in updating the WHO’s ongoing assessment of the health effects of radio wave exposure.

Cancer, a disease in which abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body, is the second leading cause of death globally, responsible for an estimated 9.6 million deaths, or one in six deaths, in 2018. Lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach, and liver cancers are the most common among men, while breast, colorectal, lung, cervical, and thyroid cancers are most prevalent in women.

The global cancer burden continues to rise, placing a significant strain on individuals, families, and health systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where many patients lack access to timely, high-quality diagnosis and treatment.

(Photo courtesy: IANS)

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