The Myth of Cell Phones and Brain Cancer

The Myth of Cell Phones and Brain Cancer

How did the alleged myth between cell phone use and brain tumors begin? Early clinical studies examining the impact of cell phone use had a bias – they looked at patients who had already been diagnosed with brain tumors. Many of the study participants typically reported holding their cell phones to the side of their head where the tumor was located.

“These studies were done looking at people who had tumors, and then trying to determine if there was an association with cell phone use,” said Dr. Mehta. "That's what caused this fiction that there is an association between cell phone use and brain tumors."

Consequently, much larger epidemiology studies have been done that "basically look at larger populations," he said. Epidemiology is the study of disease among human populations, to seek specific answers about the causes and other characteristics of cancers and other diseases.

Longer-term effects?

However, Dr. Mehta and health organizations caution that more study is needed to determine the longer-term effects of mobile phone use – largely because technology is evolving so rapidly and persistent use of mobile phones it has been around for only about two decades.

"Large studies that have followed patients for five to 10 years have not shown any conclusive evidence that there is an increased risk of developing brain tumors with cell phone use," says Dr. Mehta. “But what about 20-year use? And what about the use for 30 years? Obviously, we don't have that data right now and because we don't have the data, that leaves the myth open for interpretation."

According to the National Cancer Institute: “Studies to date have not shown a consistent link between cell phone use and cancers of the brain, nerves, and other tissues in the head and neck. More studies are needed as cell phone technology and people's use of cell phones has been changing rapidly."