Scientists dispel popular myth about cancer

Electromagnetic radiation or radio waves from cell phones and other gadgets do not increase the risk of cancer, even when the device is close to the body, say experts from Cancer Research UK, the world's largest independent cancer research organization, Report informs via the Daily Mail.

Cell phones are known to receive radio waves from cell towers and convert them into electrical signals. This means that mobile communications produce electromagnetic waves in the radio frequency range, which are classified as non-ionizing radiation.

It is believed that when mobile phones are carried close to the body, radiofrequency radiation from mobile phones may increase the risk of developing cancer. Experts from Cancer Research UK explained that ionizing (X-ray and gamma radiation) radiation as a stream of elementary particles can cause cancer by damaging DNA.

Non-ionizing radiation from phones does not have enough energy to directly harm DNA structure at the cellular level. Moreover, its potential “harmfulness” does not depend on how close the device is to the body.

Experts added that 4G and 5G networks use higher frequency radio waves to operate, but their energy is also not enough to damage DNA.