Based on current evidence, no. In 2011 the International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organization) placed the radio waves from mobile phones in the "possibly carcinogenic" group (Group 2B), because the evidence at the time was limited and uncertain [1, 2]. Larger studies have been done since then, and a review commissioned by the World Health Organization concluded in 2024 that mobile phones probably do not increase the risk of brain tumours, in adults or in children [3]. And although almost everyone has a mobile phone, the number of brain cancers has not gone up [8, 10].
Key points
- "Possibly carcinogenic" means the evidence was limited, not that mobile phones have been shown to cause cancer [1, 2].
- Large studies of hundreds of thousands of people in several countries found no link, even after more than 10 to 15 years of use [5, 6, 7].
- Brain cancer has not increased as mobile phones became universal [8, 10].
- Mobile phone waves are "non-ionising" and do not have enough energy to damage DNA [10].
What kind of radiation does a mobile phone give off?
What does "possibly carcinogenic" mean?
In 2011 a group of 31 scientists from 14 countries at the International Agency for Research on Cancer placed radiofrequency waves in Group 2B ("possibly carcinogenic to humans") [1, 2]. This group means that the evidence in humans was "limited": a few studies had found a link with glioma (a type of brain tumour) and with a tumour of the hearing nerve, but it could have been due to chance, bias or other factors [2, 10]. At the time, the agency's director suggested using hands-free devices or texting until the question was settled [2].
Since then, larger and more careful studies have been published; they are described in the next section.
What did the large studies find?
- More than 358,000 mobile phone subscribers in Denmark: tumours of the brain and spinal cord were not more common in subscribers, even in those who had had a mobile phone for 13 years or more [5].
- About 776,000 women in the UK, followed for 14 years: daily use, or use for more than 10 years, did not raise the risk of brain tumours [6].
- More than 264,000 people in 5 European countries: more time on calls, and even more than 15 years of use, was not linked to brain tumours [7].
- An international study in 13 countries (comparing patients with healthy people): overall, the risk was not higher. Only in a small group who reported the most call time was there a sign of higher risk; the researchers said errors in recall and bias meant it could not be taken as cause and effect [4].
- A comprehensive review of the studies (2024): this review, commissioned by the World Health Organization, examined 63 papers from 22 countries. Mobile phone use was not linked to tumours of the brain, hearing nerve, pituitary gland or salivary glands, or to brain tumours in children, and the risk did not rise with more calls or more years of use [3].
Has brain cancer become more common?
If mobile phones caused brain cancer, the number of these cancers should have risen as phones spread. But in Australia, between 2003 and 2013, when mobile phone use became very widespread, no type of brain tumour increased; a small rise seen in the 1990s was most likely due to the wider use of MRI scans [8]. In the United States, the Nordic countries and Australia, rates of glioma (a type of brain tumour) in adults have stayed stable, and brain tumours in children have not increased either [10]. Simulations show that the higher risks reported by some older studies do not fit these real-world figures [3].
What about 5G, Wi-Fi and phone masts?
5G uses higher frequencies (from about 3.5 GHz up to a few tens of GHz). The higher the frequency, the more the energy is absorbed at the surface of the body (skin and eyes) rather than deeper inside; exposure from 5G masts at around 3.5 GHz is similar to that from earlier masts [11]. According to the World Health Organization, no harmful health effect has been shown to be caused by wireless technologies, and as long as exposure stays below international limits, no consequences for public health are expected [11].
Wi-Fi exposure is far below international exposure limits [12]. Masts and transmitters: in the 2024 review, living near mobile phone base stations or radio and television transmitters was not linked to childhood leukaemia; for brain tumours in children the evidence (though more limited) also showed no link [3].
What should I do?
There is no need to fear your mobile phone or give it up. If you want to reduce your exposure, use the loudspeaker or a headset for long calls so the phone is away from your head [10]. To really lower your cancer risk, proven steps such as stopping smoking, staying active and having screening matter far more: Can cancer be prevented? If you are worried about symptoms such as headaches, see symptoms of a brain tumour.
Frequently asked questions
Are mobile phones more dangerous for children?
In a study in 14 countries of teenagers and young adults aged 10 to 24, mobile phone use was not linked to brain tumours, although the researchers wrote that a very small increase could not be completely ruled out [9]. The 2024 review also found no link for brain tumours in children and teenagers [3].
Then why is it still "possibly carcinogenic"?
Didn't experiments in rats show that mobile phones cause cancer?
In a large study in rodents, a small number of rare heart tumours were seen only in male rats, not in females or in mice; how this applies to people is unclear, because this tumour is extremely rare in humans [10].
Are wireless (Bluetooth) headsets safe?
Wireless headsets transmit at power levels 10 to 400 times lower than the phone itself, so they reduce the exposure of your head to radio waves [10].
Is it dangerous to keep my phone next to my pillow at night?
Notes for doctors (for physicians)
For physicians
IARC (Monograph 102, 2011). Radiofrequency electromagnetic fields were classified as Group 2B; limited evidence in users of wireless phones for glioma and acoustic neuroma, and inadequate evidence for other cancers and for occupational and environmental exposure. The risk was not quantified; one study (use up to 2004) had reported a 40% increased risk of glioma in the heaviest users (reported average 30 minutes a day over 10 years) [1, 2].
Case–control studies. INTERPHONE (13 countries; 2,708 gliomas and 2,409 meningiomas): OR for regular use 0.81 (0.70 to 0.94) for glioma and 0.79 (0.68 to 0.91) for meningioma; ≥10 years after first use, glioma 0.98 (0.76 to 1.26). In the top decile of cumulative call time (≥1,640 hours), OR for glioma 1.40 (1.03 to 1.89), with implausible reported use; bias and error prevent a causal interpretation [4]. MOBI-Kids (14 countries, 899 patients aged 10 to 24, 1,910 controls): ORs fell with increasing use (recall bias and prodromal symptoms); no evidence of a causal association, although a small increase cannot be ruled out [9].
Cohorts. Denmark (358,403 subscribers, 3.8 million person-years, 10,729 CNS tumours): IRR with ≥13 years of subscription 1.03 (0.83 to 1.27) in men and 0.91 (0.41 to 2.04) in women [5]. Million Women Study (776,156 women, 14 years, 3,268 brain tumours): RR for ever vs never use 0.97 (0.90 to 1.04), and 0.89 (0.80 to 0.99) for glioma [6]. COSMOS (264,574 people in 5 countries, median 7.1 years, regression calibration against operator data): HR for glioma per 100 cumulative call-hours 1.00 (0.98 to 1.02); more than 15 years of use 0.97 (0.62 to 1.52) [7].
WHO-commissioned systematic review (Karipidis, Environ Int 2024). 63 papers (1994 to 2022) from 22 countries: mRR for glioma 1.01 (0.89 to 1.13), meningioma 0.92 (0.82 to 1.02), acoustic neuroma 1.03 (0.85 to 1.24), pituitary 0.81, salivary gland 0.91 and paediatric brain tumours 1.06 (0.74 to 1.51); no increase with time since first use or cumulative call time and number of calls. Incidence time-trend simulations showed RRs above 1.5 with a 10-year induction period to be implausible. Moderate certainty (GRADE) of no increased risk for glioma, meningioma, acoustic neuroma, pituitary and salivary gland tumours in adults and paediatric brain tumours [3].
Incidence trends. Australia (16,825 cases aged 20 to 59): in 2003 to 2013 the annual change in glioma was −0.6% (−1.4 to 0.2) and in temporal-lobe glioma 0.5% (−1.3 to 2.3); the rise in glioblastoma in 1993 to 2002 coincided with wider use of MRI [8].
Related cancer types
References
12 referencesShow all referencesClose the reference list
Numbers in the text, such as [1], refer to these sources. Sources with a “Study card” button are summarised in the site’s evidence library.
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- 12Wi-Fi and health: review of current status of research
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