There was a time when people genuinely believed that phone radiation could cause all sorts of problems. Parents were sending long broadcasts warning that your phone’s vibration could cause cancer or even reduce sperm count for men. Did we believe it? Yes. But now, with more information and science on our side, the question is: is the radiation from our phones truly enough to cause cancer?

Those warnings did not come out of nowhere. They came from real fear, the kind that grows when something new enters our lives and we do not fully understand it. Mobile phones became a daily companion, pressed against our ears, tucked into pockets, sometimes even under pillows. So, it made sense that people would worry about what all that exposure could do to their bodies.

But science has been clear for a while now. The type of radiation that phones emit is called non-ionising radiation. It is not strong enough to directly damage DNA or cells. This makes it very different from the ionising radiation you get from X-rays or nuclear materials, the kind that can actually cause harm.

According to Aproko Doctor, one of Nigeria’s most trusted health voices, “phones do not give off ionising radiation, the kind that directly damages DNA.” What this means is that, based on everything we know so far, there is no solid evidence linking normal phone use to cancer.

What the studies say

Scientists have studied this for decades. The results? Inconsistent but mostly reassuring. A few studies hinted at small risks, but none could prove a direct connection between mobile phones and cancer. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have described phone radiation as “possibly carcinogenic,” which sounds alarming but simply means “we are not entirely sure yet.” Coffee and pickled vegetables actually fall in the same category.

So, for now, there is no verified reason to panic. You are far more likely to increase your cancer risk from things like poor diet, smoking, or air pollution than from the phone in your hand.

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Still, a little caution never hurts

That said, it never hurts to be careful. While phone radiation will not cause cancer, experts recommend simple habits like using earphones or speaker mode during long calls, keeping phones away from your bed while you sleep, and avoiding calls when the signal is very weak. These do not make your life difficult, but they keep your exposure minimal.

Also, remember that your phone affects your health in other, more obvious ways, such as long screen time, social media stress, and lack of sleep. Those are the real everyday risks most people ignore while worrying about radiation.

So, should you worry?

Probably not. For now, science says your phone is safe. The radiation it gives off is too weak to cause cancer. What you should worry about instead is how much time you spend staring at the screen, scrolling endlessly, and forgetting to rest your mind.

As Aproko Doctor put it simply, “Use your phone wisely, but do not live in fear of it.”

At the end of the day, balance is key. Your phone may connect you to the world, but sometimes, the healthiest thing to do is just put it down.

Cynthia Nwanonyiri