The use of mobile phones is not associated with an increased risk of cancer. This is the main result of the most comprehensive meta-analysis ever conducted on this topic. The study was initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO), and the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) was also involved.

“We have analyzed and summarized all scientific evidence from epidemiological studies, i.e. observational studies on humans, on the topic from all over the world,” explained BfS scientist Dan Baaken, one of the authors of the study. “We can say with a high degree of certainty that we have not overlooked anything.”

“With a high degree of certainty” – study says mobile phone use does not increase cancer risk

When conducting the meta-study, the scientists reviewed 5,000 studies from the last few decades and filtered out 63 relevant studies based on previously defined and published criteria. These covered all types of cancer, with a focus on tumors of the central nervous system, such as brain tumors.

The study results showed that the use of mobile phones was not associated with an increased risk of various types of cancer, including brain tumors, pituitary tumors, salivary gland tumors, brain tumors in children or leukemia. Nor was an increased risk found for cordless landline phones. According to the results, living near broadcast antennas and cell phone towers also did not increase the likelihood of developing cancer.

Baaken explained that the scientists also carried out time series analyses. These analysed, among other things, the number of mobile phone contracts concluded in comparison to data from cancer registries in countries such as Australia, South Korea, England and the Scandinavian countries. “There, too, there was no increase in brain tumours that would suggest a connection with mobile phones.”

Older studies incomplete – 5G not yet taken into account

Older case-control studies, which were based on surveys of sick people regarding their cell phone use and compared them with people who were not ill, had occasionally suggested links between cell phone use and cancer. “But these are susceptible to certain types of error,” explained Baaken. There are now large-scale studies that are superior to these case-control studies in many ways. “This has changed the classification again.”

Bestseller: The Nutrition Docs – Our Anti-Cancer Strategy at Thalia

The new meta-study was published in the journal “Environment International”. It includes studies up to the end of 2022, so studies on the new mobile communications standard 5G are missing. “However, we have included studies with contact with radar sources, and radar has a similar frequency to 5G,” said Baaken.

The fundamental question is whether the radiation emitted by mobile phones, i.e. electromagnetic waves, can actually have an effect on the cells in the human body. This is being tested in the laboratory, among other places. The Federal Office stresses that such a mechanism of action is not known. “From a scientific point of view, there is currently no proven mechanism of action that high-frequency electromagnetic fields emitted by mobile phones and base stations cause cancer.”

Are you interested in the topics “cancer”, “prevention” and “treatment options”? You can find further information here:

• Cancer diagnosis: How chemotherapy works
• Deadly tumors: Which cancers are the most dangerous?
• Causes of clogged arteries: These 8 foods lead to arteriosclerosis
• First signs of cancer: How your body warns you early about the dangerous disease