Do you sleep with your phone next to you? Or worse, charge it close to you? Here's why doctors want you to keep your mobile phone out of your bedroom!
Published Oct 31, 2023 | 9:00 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 31, 2023 | 9:00 AM
While mobile phone usage cannot give you brain cancer, it can have negative implications on your health. (Creative Commons)
In an era where our mobile phone feels like an extension of our selves, questions about their safety cannot be brushed aside. A lingering concern is whether keeping a mobile phone physically close to you, especially while sleeping, increases the risk of brain tumours.
On the occasion of International Brain Tumour Awareness Week (28 October to 4 November), South First speaks to experts about this.
Numerous studies have delved into the possible health risks of mobile phone usage. While some suggest a possible link between phone use and brain tumours, others find no association. This inconsistency makes drawing concrete conclusions a challenge.
However, doctors South First spoke to denied this claim.
“As of now, there is no convincing evidence that keeping your mobile phone close to the ear or the head during sleep causes brain tumours,” says Dr Sudhir Kumar, Consultant Neurologist from Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad.
Dr Kumar explains that mobile phones emit radiofrequency (RF) radiation, a type of non-ionising radiation. Unlike the ionising radiation of X-rays, which can damage DNA and potentially lead to cancer, non-ionising radiation’s potential to cause tumours is unproven.
There is no conclusive evidence to prove that mobile phone usage can cause brain cancer. (Commons)
“Multiple studies have been done. They have looked at both benign tumours, like meningiomas, and also cancerous tumours, like gliomas. Post studies, it showed that there is no evidence. A few studies have shown a slight increase of cancer risk but researchers concluded that they couldn’t give a convincing conclusion that it is due to mobile phone usage,” he adds.
Agreeing with Dr Sudhir Kumar is Dr LS Harishchandra, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Specialist in Paediatric, Epilepsy & Movement Disorder Surgery at MGM Healthcare, Chennai.
“In the realm of science, the truth often emerges from meticulous scrutiny. Over the years, researchers have embarked on numerous comprehensive studies, delving into the relationship between mobile phone usage and brain tumours. The culmination of these endeavours has yielded a reassuring revelation: There is no substantial evidence to suggest that wielding your trusty cell phone or even harboring it close during your slumber, raises the specter of brain cancer,” he tells South First.
He adds, “The plausible explanation behind this scientific consensus lies in the nature of the electromagnetic radiations emitted by these devices, namely 3G, 4G, and now 5G.”
Meanwhile, doctors also say that despite the surge in mobile phone usage over the past few decades, there hasn’t been a proportional rise in brain tumour diagnoses.
Dr Sudhir Kumar says that, however, if you look at the classification of carcinogens by the World Health Organization (WHO), mobile phones have been listed as simply carcinogenic. “There are some studies that showed increased risk of cancer, so it is better to keep it away from the head,” he says.
Doctors recommend leaving the mobile out of the bedroom. (Commons)
Some protective steps one can take include using hands-free devices, opting for texts over calls, or simply placing the phone at a slight distance away from you while sleeping.
Asserting the same, Dr Dilip Mohan, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Sheshadripuram, Bengaluru, says, “Studies have not conclusively shown any increase in incidence of brain cancer with regular mobile phone usage. However, keeping mobile phones next to people’s head during sleep is not recommended for reasons that it may disturb sleep rhythm and possible have heating issues.”
Dr Harishchandra, too, believes that the repercussions of late-night phone usage are far from benign.
“They may perturb your memory, disrupt your sleep patterns, and potentially impair your productivity the following day. Whether or not it poses a cancer risk, the safer choice appears to be relegating your phone away from your bedside,” he notes.
While the link between mobile phones and serious health issues like brain tumours remains inconclusive, there are other concerns related to keeping mobile phones close, especially during sleep.
Blue light emission from phone screens can interfere with the production of melatonin. (Commons)
Speaking to South First, Dr Manoj Sharma, who heads SHUT (Service for Healthy Use of Technology) Clinic at NIMHANS, says, “It is always better to keep the mobile phone out of the bedroom. It is not only helpful to get some family time but also, the constant notifications and the temptation to check WhatsApp or Instagram or any kind of social media can increase anxiety, stress, and feelings of being overwhelmed. This can interrupt ones sleep cycle.”
He adds that having a phone always within arm’s reach can foster an over-dependency on it, making it challenging to “disconnect”.
Dr Satyanarayana Mysore, Head of the Department of Sleep Medicine at Manipal Hospitals in Bengaluru, in an earlier interview with South First, had spoken on the dangers of blue light emission from phone screens that can interfere with the production of melatonin, a hormone responsible for sleep regulation.
“Using your phone before bedtime can make it harder to fall asleep and reduce the quality of sleep. Many people, both old and the young, come to me with this problem. In children, it can also lead to them not being attentive in class the next day due to less sleep,” he added.
Mobile phone aren’t just a health hazard, they are a fire hazard too. Though doctors say that a phone catching on fire is rare, there have been reports due to battery issues, especially if someone is using non-certified chargers, or if the phone is covered by bedding.
A pillow cover burnt by a phone charger. (Sourced)
So it is best to avoid charging the phone too close to someone sleeping.
Interestingly, Dr Sudhir Kumar says, “We have found, in many cases, that if one is continuously talking on the mobile phone, then they may experience tinnitus in the ears and hearing loss could be noticed. This is due to the effect of sound directly on the auditory nerve and also probably due to the heat that gets generated.”
To summarise doctors’ advice on mobile phone use, in order to minimise potential risks, place your phone at a distance when sleeping, use night mode to reduce blue light exposure in the evening, and ensure that you are using certified chargers and accessories.
“As we navigate the digital age, our focus should remain on balanced phone usage and healthy sleep, rather than succumbing to unwarranted fears,” concludes Dr Harishchandra.
