Can mobiles cause cancer?
Mobile phones hit the headlines again this week as a US cancer researcher recommended that staff should limit their use of their phones because of the potential cancer risk. It’s a controversial issue that has been fuelled by constant see-sawing media stories about studies that find a link and others that do not.
Let’s take a look at what we already know about mobile phones and cancer.
The bigger picture
The main issue is that there is still no strong evidence to suggest that mobile phones pose a cancer risk.
Their use has skyrocketed since the 1980s but during this time, the numbers of people with brain cancer has not changed very much.
Several studies have directly looked at the risk of cancer in mobile phone users, and overall, the evidence from these suggests that mobile phones do not cause any type of cancer, including brain cancers and leukaemia.
The largest study so far, which looked at over 420,000 people, found that even people who had used mobiles for 10 years did not have increased risks.
While some studies have linked mobile phones to cancer, almost all of these have come from a minority of research groups, whose methods have been criticised by other scientists, not least for the practice of publishing the results of the same study in multiple journals. Recently, the Swedish Radiation Protection Authority concluded that “bias and chance are the most likely explanations for their findings.”
A few studies have found that people with brain cancer are more likely to develop the disease on the side of the head that they hold their phone to, even though overall, they found no link between phone use and cancer. That’s a puzzling result and it’s most likely down to chance or inaccuracies. If phones were really increasing the risk of brain cancer on one side of the head, you would still expect to see this danger reflected in the overall result.
The problem is that many of these studies ask people with cancer to remember how they used their phones, often many years ago. Their memories may be biased if they had previously heard about a connection between phones and cancer in the media.
And most importantly, so far no one has been able to consistently agree on how mobile phones could cause cancer, and that’s been a big blow for the argument that they pose a risk. Sure, the phone gives off microwave radiation, but it has millions of times less energy than, say, an X-ray and is not powerful enough to damage our DNA. Nor is the heating effect of this radiation large enough to affect our bodies. Other suggestions have been put forward, but none are backed by consistent evidence.
The bottom line
Recently, a report from the Mobile Telecommunications & Health Research Programme, which looked at all the available evidence, came to the same conclusions. It said that:
- Mobile phones aren’t linked to any negative health effects.
- Short-term mobile phone use does not cause brain cancer, and does not affect brain function.
- There is no evidence that the symptoms experienced by people who suffer from ‘electrical hypersensitivity’ are the result of exposure to mobiles or base stations.
- There is no evidence that mobiles could affect our cells beyond heating them.
- The effects of exposures of 10 years or more is unclear and deserves more research.
The last point is a valid one. Mobile phones are still a young technology. Studies suggest that using them for 10 years or less is safe, but only further research can tell us about longer-term effects.
For the moment, the only health risk that has been conclusively linked to mobile phones is a higher risk of driving accidents. People who use mobile phones while driving, even with a hands-free kit, are easily distracted and are four times more likely to be involved in an accident.
UPDATE: It has come to our attention that our main website mentions precautions that people can take if they are concerned about mobile phones, while this blog post does not. In light of that, here’s what we say over on our main Healthy Living site, for people who want to take action while new research is being carried out.
“Until we get a conclusive answer, the Government recommends some precautions for people who have concerns. For example, adults using mobile phones could minimise their exposure by keeping calls short. And children under the age of 16 should only use mobile phones for essential calls.
You can read the Government recommendations in full at the NHS website.”
Comments
White man October 11, 2008
After a major study that was carried out by a scientist in Finland, evidence gave reason to suggest that mobile phone radiation affects the brain (Darius Leszcynski). Professor Leszcynski followed up on the matter for two years. It is true that many scientists are looking into whether the radiowave radiation that we are exposed to can cause serious damage to the brain. Some of the possible effects that have been mentioned are cancer, memory loss and leukemia. Part of the radiowave radiation that is emitted from phones is absorbed by the human head. Dr Zenon Sienkiewicz has also completed much research on this matter to show that using a mobile can damage the body. Dr Sienkiewicz has said that using a mobile phone not only affects the brain but also affects the cells the pass around the body. The mutation of these cells also affects the DNA within them. Dr. Alan Preece believes that, by the results of his studies, mobile phones could damage the body by speeding the brain up.
A report by Tamar Nordenberg suggests that there is no link between cancer and mobile phone radiation. Due to lack of evidence many other scientists believe that there is no clear connection. The report was based on statistics and not actual scientific knowledge therefore the theory is not very trustworthy also this information was found on a cheap website with no real use or value. Other scientists believe that, after a close study, mobile phones are harmless and all the radiowaves absorbed by the cranium are harmless. They came to this conclusion after a number of people who have used a mobile phone regularly for over five years or longer where examined along with another group of people who did not a mobile phone regularly. On average there was no difference in the DNA or cranium.
Eileen O'Connor October 6, 2008
Please see further information in addition to my previous email above.
There is a global movement and interest gathering in scientific information mixed with politics and corporate interests. This is why the Radiation Research Trust recently held a two day conference at the Royal Society, London on 8th & 9th September, 2008.
I am a trustee for the UK Charity the Radiation Research Trust. On 8th & 9th September, the Radiation Research Trust (RRT) brought together leading experts in the fields of science, politics and regulation from across the globe to debate the health effects of electromagnetic fields. This was the first time that such a conference was organised to include experts from both sides of the health debate. http://www.radiationresearch.org/conference/
Entitled ‘Electromagnetic fields and health – a global issue’, the conference took place at the Royal Society, and was attended by a number of highly prominent speakers. These included speakers from world establishments such as ICNIRP, WHO, RNCNIRP and national bodies such as the UK Health Protection Agency and the MTHR. They were joined by scientists, politicians, lawyers and concerned citizens, each offering differing viewpoints in order to encourage discussion around risk assessment, precautionary measures, social policy and areas where further research is required.
The conference produced a number of informative presentations on a wide variety of issues related to electromagnetic radiation. Topics covered included the effects of mobile phone base stations, brain tumour studies, studies on electro-sensitivity and electromagnetic fields effects on animals and humans.
Lennart Hardell, Professor of Department of Oncology, University Hospital, Orebro, Sweden and the Swedish team’s research indicated children and teenagers are five times more likely to get brain cancer if they use mobile phones. Professor Lennart Hardell concluded his presentation saying: “there is a consistent pattern of increased risk for acoustic neuroma & glioma after 10 years ipsilateral mobile phone use. Current standard for exposure to microwaves during mobile phone use is not safe for long term tumour risks and needs to be revised.”
The Hardell team found that use of a mobile phone or cordless phone significantly increases the risk of brain tumours. Their findings also have an internal consistency.
• The higher the cumulative hours of use, the higher the risk;
• The higher the radiated power, the higher the risk;
• The higher the number of years since first use, the higher the risk;
• The higher the exposure (tumour on the same side of the head where the mobile phone
or cordless phone was held), the higher the risk, and;
• The younger the user, the higher the risk
Other studies have identified links between mobile phones and salivary gland tumours, a decline in the fertility of men who use mobile phones heavily and mobile phone usage having significant effects on sleep.
Children are of greatest concern as they are considered to be extremely vulnerable to mobile phone radiation. Their brains, due to skull formation throughout childhood years, absorb a greater proportion of radiation emitted by mobile phones. For example, if the brains of an adult man, a child aged 10 and a child aged five were compared whilst using a mobile phone, you’d see much greater radiation penetration in the youngest child’s brain.
Dr David Carpenter, director of the Institute of Health and Environment at the University of Albany, presented at the Radiation Research Trust Conference and also gave testimony before the subcommittee of the US House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform on 25/9/08. He said: “Precaution is warranted even in the absence of absolutely final evidence concerning the magnitude of the risk” — especially for children.
Many other scientists attending the RRT conference voiced concern for public health especially for children including Professor Yury GRIGORIEV, Chairman of the Russian National Committee on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, Russia. Professor Grigoriev gave a powerful presentation with regards to children. He said: “The potential risk to children’s health is very high and a completely new problem. Use of mobile phones for those under 18 or pregnant should be restricted. Children have a unique vulnerability as they grow and develop, there are “windows of susceptibility” periods when their organs and systems may be particularly sensitive to the effect of certain environmental threats. The existing standards cannot guarantee the safe, healthy development of the next generation.”
ICNIRP Chairman, Professor Paolo Vecchia said the current guidelines set by ICNIRP are not mandatory prescriptions for safety, the “last word” on the issue or should not be used as defensive walls for Industry or others.
Sir William Stewart in his excellent opening address at the RRT Conference rightly called for “a much stronger well funded science base with individual organisations and centres being well equipped nationally and for more complementary international programmes to be set in place. Guidelines cannot be secure unless there is a strong encompassing knowledge base upon which to build. Attention has to be given to the existing international guidelines on the NIR and RF in particular”. He also advocated “the urgent need for more work to be carried out in the social sciences and focusing on the individual, the community, the general public and on societal impact.”
Please read the following advice taken from the Department of Health website patient information on mobile phones:
Children should only use mobile phones if absolutely necessary.
Keep your mobile phone away from your body when it is in standby mode.
Mobile phones and hospital equipment
Mobile phones can cause disruption in hospitals. They can disturb patients who are resting and could be confused with alarm bells on medical equipment.
The radio waves that come from mobile phones can also interfere with medical devices, such as monitors.
Go to the following link for more information:
http://cks.library.nhs.uk/patient_information_leaflet/mobile_phone_safety
Irish Senator Mark Daly chaired one of the sessions at the Radiation Research Trust Conference and he reminded the audience that the world had to wait for 50 years for definitive proof on the health effects of smoking. “If many years from now it is proved there is a link (between mobile phones and cancer) the consequences will cost billions of pounds and thousands of lives” he said “we must err on the side of caution.
The UK Radiation Research Trust are calling for the precautionary approach in line with the Chairman for the UK Health Protection Agency, Sir William Stewart. He recommended the use of mobile phones by children should be “discouraged” and “minimised” in 2000 and 2005.
The European Parliament on 4th September called on the Council to amend its 1999 recommendation 519/EC in order to take into account the member states best practices and thus to set stricter exposure limits for all equipment which emits EM waves.
Eileen O’Connor
Trustee – Radiation Research Trust
http://www.radiationresearch.org
An independent Charity Registered
Sue October 6, 2008
Please also see
http://www.mastsanity.org
Here is the only study on different age groups to date although there is another in the pipieline.
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/heldref/access/887234511.html?dids=887234511:887
234511:887234511:887234511&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT:TG:PAGE&date=Mar+2004&author=
Lennart+Hardell%3BKjell+H+Mild%3BMichael+Carlberg%3BArne+Hallquist&pub=Archi
ves+of+Environmental+Health&edition=&startpage=132&desc=Cellular+and+Cordles
s+Telephone+Use+and+the+Association+with+Brain+Tumors+in+Different+Age+Group
s
Cellular and Cordless Telephone Use and the Association with Brain Tumors in
Different Age Groups
Archives of Environmental Health – Washington
Author: Lennart Hardell; Kjell H Mild; Michael Carlberg; Arne Hallquist
Date: Mar 2004
Start Page: 132
Pages: 6
Text Word Count: 3077
Abstract (Document Summary)
The authors’ case-control study on the possible association between brain
tumors and mobile and cordless telephone use included 1,617 patients and
1,617 controls. A questionnaire was answered by 1,429 (88%) cases and 1,470
(91%) controls.
Use of analog cellular telephones yielded an odds ratio (OR) for brain
tumors of 1.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04-1.64, increasing for
ipsilateral use to OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.19-2.30. The authors found the
highest risk for the 20-29-yr age group, with OR = 5.91, 95% CI = 0.63-55
for ipsilateral use of analog phones.
The highest risks were associated with >5-year latency period in the
20-29-yr age group for analog phones (OR = 8.17, 95% CI = 0.94-71), and
cordless phones (OR = 4.30, 95% CI = 1.22-15).
Eileen O'Connor October 6, 2008
Please go to the Radiation Research Trust website for information on mobile phones, phone masts etc.
Kind Regards
Eileen O’Connor
Trustee – EM Radiation Research Trust
UK registered charity
You can find more information about mobile phones on our Healthy Living site and also on the Health Protection Authority’s website.
sade nal August 29, 2008
i am looking for websites to show me that mobile phones can damage brains please help
Ed Yong August 20, 2008
Hi Merlin. Some high frequency electromagnetic radiation, such as X-rays and some types of ultraviolet light, has enough energy to knock electrons off atoms, and so can damage DNA and other biological molecules. This is known as ‘ionising radiation‘.
Other frequencies are too low-powered to affect atoms in this way – and are referred to as non- ionising radiation. This includes visible light, infrared, microwaves and the radio waves that are given off by mobile phones.
Invoking quantum theory here is a bit of a stretch – if you’re really suggesting that “quantum tunnelling” means that non-ionising radiation from phones “could” cause cancer, then by extension, visible light could too. But clearly it doesn’t or we wouldn’t be here.
Merlin August 18, 2008
The way that mobile phones could cause cancer is the same way any radiation could cause cancer… electromagnetic energy.
Cancer is the mutation of DNA cells. This can be triggered by breaking the Hydrogen bond which holds DNA in a helix shape. The Hydrogen bond is relatively strong, and so it takes quite a lot of energy to break. It actually takes more energy to break than a mobile can provide… hence there is no firm evidence that phones can cause cancer.
However from Quantum Theory we know that an proven physical effect called Quantum Tunneling can cause something to break through a potential barrier when it doesn’t actually have the energy to break through that barrier. In a sense it borrows the energy (and actually pays it back after breaking the barrier). This way phone radiation with low energy *could* cause cancer, if it is able to tunnel enough.
Thanks for chipping in David.
It’s worth noting that while many studies have received funding from the mobile phone industry, the most important studies have taken steps to ensure that their research remains completely independent, and the funds are governed by impartial organisations like the International Union for Cancer Control. For example, the INTERPHONE study lists some of the measures it has taken to ensure independence on its website.
david August 11, 2008
afternoon all , as someone living with brain cancer i have looked in to this quite a lot. every one is correct in what they say so far. but, what you need to understand is that the majority of all the research undertaken on this subject is paid for pimarily. by the mobile phone company’s. so the “results ” should come as no surprise. i have been aware of my brain tumour for 5 years and have come to the conclusion that despite the fact that where we live is surrounded by base stations and therefore a great amount of mobile phone traffic & an airport , they may simply have acted as a trigger to bring on my tumour.
Good question Simon. The evidence linking base stations to cancer is even weaker than that linking phones to cancer.
Base stations emit much less electromagnetic radiation than phones do and even if you live close to one, the exposure you would get is usually a hundred times or more below international guidelines (which have themselves been drawn up with very large safety margins in mind).
walter May 25, 2009
Hi Ed. You say
“The evidence linking base stations to cancer is even weaker than that linking phones to cancer.”
Can you elaborate further on this ‘evidence’? Its certainly news to me.
May I refer you to the contents of a letter recently sent to the WHO:
“To date FOURTEEN epidemiological studies on mobile telecommunication base stations have been published and are referenced either on the EMF WHO database and/or on PUBMED.
Out of these fourteen studies:
· 1 is a mere feasibility study,
· 3 studies (20%) found no increase in the symptoms being analyzed while
· 10 studies (70%) DID find significant increases in the symptoms being analyzed.”
http://www.avaate.org/IMG/pdf/Letter_WHO_Dr_van_Deventer_-_Jan_27_2009.pdf
As I have seen many of these studies, which appear in peer-reviewed journals, I’d be very interested to know what your claim is based on.
Incidentally this evidence was sent to the WHO two years ago. The correspondent, a bio-engineer, indicated he has repeatedly made polite but unsuccessful requests to the WHO for a response. I mention this because in another response (to Eileen O’Connor) you say
“The World Health Organisation says, “Current scientific evidence indicates that exposure to RF fields, such as those emitted by mobile phones and their base stations, is unlikely to induce or promote cancers.””
They seem to be ignoring all the evidence that there is!
Also, when you refer to a “safety margin” – I really wish you would make it clear that you are ONLY talking about safety from thermal effects. These are (obviously) not relevant to discussions about non-thermal effects. Very few people believe the masts will heat them up, you know :)
Regards
Walter
Simon July 25, 2008
You don’t mention anything about base stations. I’m pretty sure I know the answer to this already, but is there any hard evidence that living near mobile phone base stations can cause cancer?
White man October 11, 2008
So what to believe…?
ED you are I believe.