Can mobile phones cause brain cancer? This question has been debated for decades. A new international study conducted by scientists from South Korea and Japan found no evidence that radiofrequency radiation from smartphones increases the risk of tumor development.
Many still fear holding a smartphone near their head, carrying it in their pocket, or leaving it on the nightstand while sleeping. However, modern scientific data increasingly suggests that such fears may be exaggerated.
How the Study Was Conducted
To obtain the most reliable results, scientists from South Korea and Japan conducted a joint experiment following a unified protocol.
Both countries used identical laboratory conditions: the same strains of rats, the same feed, and special chambers for irradiation.
The study involved 210 male rats, which were divided into three groups of 70 animals each. The exposure to radiofrequency radiation lasted for 104 weeks — essentially throughout the animals' lives, starting from the prenatal period.
The experiment utilized a signal frequency of 900 MHz with a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 4 W/kg — this is the maximum permissible level according to international safety standards.
What the Results Showed
After the experiment was completed, the scientists carefully examined the health status of the animals.
It was found that:
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the number of tumors in all groups remained within the natural norm;
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exposure to radiofrequency radiation did not affect the condition of the brain;
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no negative impact on the heart was detected;
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no changes in the adrenal glands were found.
Moreover, in one of the groups participating in the Japanese part of the study, the rats even lived slightly longer. However, scientists consider this a coincidence unrelated to radiation exposure.
Expert Opinion
Endocrinologist, Doctor of Medical Sciences Zuhra Pavlova notes that the study's results are trustworthy due to strict quality control.
"The data obtained underwent cross-verification by researchers from both countries, as well as an independent international audit," explains the specialist.
According to her, a similar methodology is currently being used to study the effects of modern fourth and fifth generation communication networks — 4G and 5G.
What Other Studies Say
The results obtained are consistent with earlier scientific data.
A large systematic review commissioned by the World Health Organization previously included results from 63 studies published between 1994 and 2022.
The analysis showed that no connection between mobile phone use and the development of brain cancer was found, even among people who actively used smartphones for many years.
"The number of smartphones in the world has grown exponentially, while the incidence of brain cancer remains roughly the same as it was during the era of flip phones," notes Zuhra Pavlova.
Modern studies do not confirm a link between mobile phone use and the development of brain cancer. The experiment conducted by scientists from South Korea and Japan, along with data from dozens of other scientific works, shows that the radiofrequency radiation from smartphones within current safety norms does not increase the risk of tumor development. Nevertheless, specialists recommend adopting a reasonable approach to gadget use and relying on scientific data rather than widespread myths.
