Cell Phones and Cancer Risk - Fact Versus Fiction
Author: University of Wollongong
Published: 2009/04/23 - Updated: 2026/04/24
Publication Type: Informative
Category Topic: Communication - Related Publications
Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This information, drawn from a University of Wollongong announcement featuring Professor Rodney Croft, Executive Director of the Australian Center for Radio Frequency Bio-effects Research, addresses the widely asked question of whether mobile phone use poses a genuine cancer risk. Professor Croft, a psycho-physiologist with a background in cognitive neuroscience, leads a multi-university research group spanning Swinburne, RMIT, Monash, and the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science in Adelaide, which has received roughly $500,000 in annual funding since 2004 to investigate radiofrequency bio-effects. His stated position is that radiofrequency emissions from cell phones do produce measurable molecular-level activity in the brain, but that current scientific evidence does not demonstrate dangerous radiation levels or support health-based alarm, making this a useful plain-language reference for seniors, caregivers, and people with disabilities who rely on mobile phones for daily communication and assistive functions - Disabled World (DW).
- Topic Definition: Radiofrequency Bio-effects
Radiofrequency bio-effects refer to the measurable physical, chemical, and physiological changes that occur in living tissue when it is exposed to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, such as those emitted by mobile phones, Wi-Fi routers, and broadcast transmitters. These effects include well-established thermal mechanisms, in which absorbed energy raises tissue temperature, as well as non-thermal interactions that can influence neuronal activity, ion movement, and cognitive performance at exposure levels below recognized heating thresholds. Researchers in this field work to distinguish biologically detectable responses - many of which are small, transient, and without known clinical consequence - from effects that would constitute a genuine health hazard under regulatory safety frameworks.
Introduction
Cell Phones and Cancer - Fact or Fiction
Mobile or Cell phones - are they really a health hazard? It's a question that Professor Rodney Croft probably faces at every dinner party or barbecue he attends.
Main Content
As Executive Director of the Australian Center for Radio Frequency Bio-effects Research, Professor Croft has just joined the University of Wollongong's School of Psychology where he hopes to grow UOW's health psychology stream.
It's a return to his old stamping ground in Wollongong for Professor Croft who has recently left Swinburne University in Victoria where he led a National Health and Medical Research Center of Research Excellence.
A psycho-physiologist with expertise in cognitive neuroscience, Professor Croft continues to lead the "virtual" research group where members are spread across several universities including Swinburne, RMIT, Monash as well as the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science in Adelaide.
The team has been receiving about $500,000 a year in funding since 2004 and ongoing funding for future research is being sought this year.
And the answer to that perennial question about cell phone safety?
According to Professor Croft there is no real scientific evidence to date to suggest we need panic about using cell phones.
"Yes, cell phones do alter brain activity as they can trigger a degree of molecular movement but nothing to raise health concerns. The radio frequency from cell phones are triggering certain interactions within the brain but there is no evidence of dangerous levels of radiation being generated," Professor Croft said.
(Source: University of Wollongong: April 2009)
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: Professor Croft's measured framing - that radiofrequency exposure measurably interacts with brain tissue yet falls short of any demonstrated harm threshold - is a helpful antidote to both blanket dismissal and outright panic. Readers who prefer extra caution can still reduce personal exposure through simple habits such as using speakerphone, wired headsets, or texting in preference to long handset calls, while recognizing that the weight of current evidence does not support avoiding mobile phone use on cancer grounds - Disabled World (DW).Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by University of Wollongong and published on 2009/04/23, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.