Do Cell Phones Cause Cancer?

Origin: Some scientific studies have suggested a link between cell phones and brain cancer. Lawsuits and news headlines have fueled concerns that cell phones cause cancer, particularly brain cancer, and 30% of Americans still believe there is a connection, according to the Discovery Health/Prevention/ACS telephone survey.

Reality: This represents a legitimate area of scientific controversy and should not be dismissed as a “myth.” A few studies suggested a link with certain rare types of brain tumors, but the consensus among well-designed population studies is that there is no consistent association between cell phone use and brain cancer. Studies of potential risk factors for rare cancers, such as brain cancer, are very difficult to conduct. Comparing past cell phone use retrospectively, between people already diagnosed with brain tumors and a group of healthy control subjects is very difficult and prone to statistical challenges and to inaccurate recollection by participants. Studies that collect information from healthy people about potential risk factors and then follow them for many years to see what diseases develop are generally more reliable. Although some studies suggest there may be a small risk of cancer, it’s difficult to know whether these results are reliable or are the result of statistical problems or biased recollection by participants. Although it is reassuring that the majority of published studies did not find any danger of cancer, there is not enough information available to say that this concern has been disproven.

In general, news reports are more likely to emphasize the minority of studies suggesting something is dangerous, and consumers could easily have missed the reports showing no danger from cell phones because they didn't receive front-page coverage like the original reports.

What has been proven is that using a cell phone while driving increases the risk of having a car accident. So, keeping your hands free and your eyes on the road is a more significant issue for people who use cell phones.

No Apparent Cancer Link for Other Electronic Devices

Considerable research has also found no clear association between any other electronic consumer products and cancer. Cell phones, microwave ovens and related appliances emit low-frequency radiation—the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that includes radio waves and radar. Ionizing radiation such as gamma rays and X-rays can increase cancer risk by causing changes to DNA in cells of the body. Low frequency, non-ionizing radiation does not cause these DNA changes.

For people who are still suspicious about any possible health effects from cell phones, the Food and Drug Administration Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) offers advice to people concerned about their risk. Experts from the CDRH explain practical ways to minimize exposure to radio frequency radiation while using a cell phone. Also, there's the option of using digital rather than analog telephones.

For more information, the ACS book, Cancer: What Causes It, What Doesn't provides an educated perspective on what cancer health hazards people may face in everyday life, and what's not worth worrying about.