Non-ionizing radiation and cancer: A review on current evidence, mechanistic insights, and public health implications

PAPER manual Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports 2026 Review Effect: mixed Evidence: Low

Read original paper → DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2026.102705 PMID: 42437082 Evidence Lab

Abstract

Non-ionizing radiation (NIR) generated from the high power transmission lines, broadcasting antennas and cellular phones represent one of the widespread environmental exposures which can induce carcinogenic outcome. Although NIR lacks sufficient energy to dislodge the electrons for ionization, an indirect mechanism has been proposed to be involved in adverse outcomes under certain exposure conditions. Consequently, radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) exposure remains a consistent scientific and public health concern regarding its possible role in cancer manifestation. This review aims to analyze the findings of RF-EMF exposure and carcinogenicity by integrating epidemiological studies and experimental findings to demonstrate its potential function in cancer manifestation. The available evidence is not sufficient to conclude that RF-EMF exposure is a direct-acting genotoxic carcinogen or cancer initiator. However, laboratory studies have indicated that long-term exposure to non-thermal RF-EMF can cause oxidative stress, genomic instability, epigenetic alterations, ion transport disruption and dysregulation of cell-signaling pathways. These biological effects may contribute to the promotion and progression stages of carcinogenesis, but are not directly responsible for tumor/cancer initiation. The epidemiological evidence significantly varies between extremely low-frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) and radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). Although ELF-MF exposure has demonstrated a more reliable association with childhood leukemia, the data connecting RF-EMF exposure to cancer is less consistent. Studies with the larger sample size and increased exposure duration are needed to strongly corroborate its involvement in cancer development.

AI evidence extraction

At a glance

Study type

Review

Effect direction

mixed

Population

Human populations in epidemiological studies and experimental laboratory models

Sample size

—

Exposure

ELF and RF High-power transmission lines, broadcasting antennas, and cellular phones · Long-term exposure discussed; no specific duration stated

Evidence strength

Low

Confidence: 97% · Peer-reviewed: yes

Main findings

The evidence was insufficient to conclude that RF-EMF is a direct-acting genotoxic carcinogen or cancer initiator, and epidemiological findings linking RF-EMF with cancer were inconsistent. Laboratory studies reported biological changes after long-term, non-thermal RF-EMF exposure that may contribute to cancer promotion or progression, while ELF magnetic fields showed a more reliable association with childhood leukemia.

Outcomes measured

Cancer and tumor initiation, promotion, and progression
Childhood leukemia
Oxidative stress
Genomic instability
Epigenetic alterations
Ion transport disruption
Dysregulation of cell-signaling pathways

Limitations

RF-EMF epidemiological evidence was inconsistent
Available evidence was insufficient to establish RF-EMF as a direct-acting genotoxic carcinogen or cancer initiator
Larger studies with longer exposure durations are needed

View raw extracted JSON

{
    "study_type": "review",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "ELF and RF",
        "source": "High-power transmission lines, broadcasting antennas, and cellular phones",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": "Long-term exposure discussed; no specific duration stated"
    },
    "population": "Human populations in epidemiological studies and experimental laboratory models",
    "sample_size": null,
    "outcomes": [
        "Cancer and tumor initiation, promotion, and progression",
        "Childhood leukemia",
        "Oxidative stress",
        "Genomic instability",
        "Epigenetic alterations",
        "Ion transport disruption",
        "Dysregulation of cell-signaling pathways"
    ],
    "main_findings": "The evidence was insufficient to conclude that RF-EMF is a direct-acting genotoxic carcinogen or cancer initiator, and epidemiological findings linking RF-EMF with cancer were inconsistent. Laboratory studies reported biological changes after long-term, non-thermal RF-EMF exposure that may contribute to cancer promotion or progression, while ELF magnetic fields showed a more reliable association with childhood leukemia.",
    "effect_direction": "mixed",
    "limitations": [
        "RF-EMF epidemiological evidence was inconsistent",
        "Available evidence was insufficient to establish RF-EMF as a direct-acting genotoxic carcinogen or cancer initiator",
        "Larger studies with longer exposure durations are needed"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.9699999999999999733546474089962430298328399658203125,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "non-ionizing radiation",
        "radiofrequency electromagnetic fields",
        "RF-EMF",
        "extremely low-frequency magnetic fields",
        "ELF-MF",
        "cancer",
        "carcinogenicity",
        "childhood leukemia",
        "oxidative stress",
        "genomic instability",
        "epigenetic alterations",
        "cell signaling"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract/metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.

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