Nowadays, almost everyone carries their mobile phones everywhere, whether on the bus, when bored, or before bed. However, did you know that the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified mobile phones as a possible carcinogen? Does mobile phone radiation cause cancer?
Mobile phones and cancer risk
The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified mobile phone radiation as a Group 2B carcinogen, meaning it is “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” This classification does not mean mobile phones will cause cancer, but there is a potential risk. This stems from a Swedish study that suggested a link between frequent mobile phone use and a type of brain tumor called glioma. However, this study has been widely debated, and many experts believe the data is inaccurate.
Many scientists agree that there is insufficient evidence to prove that mobile phone use significantly increases cancer risk. Mobile phone radiation is a type of low-energy radiation known as non-ionizing radiation, which differs from the high-energy radiation used in medical imaging, like X-rays or gamma rays. Non-ionizing radiation does not have enough energy to damage the DNA in cells.
A study by the University of Oxford analyzed the incidence of brain tumors and found no significant increase in brain tumor risk associated with mobile phone use. Another fact supporting the minimal link between mobile phones and brain tumors is that from 1985 to 2010, the number of mobile phone users in the United States surged from 240,000 to 300 million. Yet the number of brain tumor cases did not significantly increase.
In summary, while mobile phones are classified as a Group 2B carcinogen, this does not mean that using them will directly cause cancer. However, it is still wise to use mobile phones reasonably and cautiously.
The adverse effects of using mobile phones
Many people lie in bed at night, sleepy but still wanting to play with their phones for a while. However, frequently using mobile phones before bed can have several adverse effects on the body.
Staring at a mobile phone screen for long periods, primarily when held close to the eyes, can cause eye fatigue and blurred vision. In severe cases, it can lead to serious eye conditions like glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. The blue light emitted from phone screens can suppress melatonin, which is crucial for falling asleep and staying asleep.
People aged 30 to 40 increasingly visit eye clinics because they use smartphones in bed after turning off the lights. Professor Li Li, head of the ophthalmology department, explains that staring at a bright phone screen for more than 30 minutes can cause macular degeneration, leading to rapid and irreversible vision loss. Once macular degeneration occurs, it is akin to eye cancer, eventually leading to blindness, as modern medicine cannot treat or cure it.
Viewing a bright phone screen in the dark, especially up close, can directly damage the macula in the eyes. This can cause dry eye syndrome; severe cases can lead to early cataracts or blindness. Early-stage macular degeneration can be treated with laser or steroid injections, but prevention is better. Ophthalmologists recommend supplementing with lutein and avoiding using phones in the dark to prevent lifelong damage from a few moments of screen time before bed.
Many people like to lie on their sides or stomachs while using their phones, but maintaining these positions for extended periods can strain the neck, leading to cervical spine issues or other problems.
A study published in Nature showed that fruit flies exposed to blue light for 12 hours a day experienced damage to their retinal and brain neurons. Researchers later found that the harmful effects of blue light increase with age. In simple terms, the older you get, the more damaging blue light becomes to your body.
Playing with your phone can easily make you lose track of time, and doing this regularly can disrupt your biological clock, affecting your circadian rhythm and potentially causing endocrine disorders.
When to avoid using mobile phones
There are also three specific times when staying away from mobile phones is best:
- During meals: Using your phone while eating can distract you, affecting your appetite and digestion. Additionally, eating while distracted can lead to overeating and excessive calorie intake.
- In the bathroom: Using your phone in the toilet can extend your time there, making your legs numb and potentially leading to hemorrhoids.
- While walking: Looking at your phone makes paying attention to your surroundings difficult, increasing the risk of tripping and falling.
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