There have been quite a lot of news clippings lately that state that using mobile phones can cause cancer and this seems to have been partially confirmed by a division of WHO called the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). This agency claims that on the basis of certain studies conducted about mobile phones being responsible for the cause of cancer it could categorize these devices as 'possibly carcinogenic'. Researches reveal that there could be a relationship between mobile phones and some types of brain cancer. On the other hand, the Agency also states that the proof is still insufficient to make a definite claim and that this categorization should not be assumed as a sure connection between cancer and the use of the device.

Classification of Mobile Phones
The IARC have certain standards that they use to classify objects and substances in accordance to their chances of causing cancer. As per their standards mobile phones fall into the 2B category that implies that it could be one of the causes for cancer in human beings. According to their norms there are five classes of risk.

- Class 1 - The first is that there is strong proof that an agent is the cause for cancer. Smoking and asbestos fall into this category.

- Class 2a - The agent can probably cause cancer in humans, though this evidence is stronger in animals.

- Class 2b - The fact that an agent is 'possibly carcinogenic to humans' implies that though there is not sufficient proof that the agent can cause cancer in human beings, the evidence in studies conducted on animals is 'less than sufficient'. This is the group that mobile phones have been classified into. This means that in spite of the fact that there is some proof that they can be cancerous to human beings, there is no solid evidence to support the claim.

- Class 3 - where an agent cannot be classified as cancer causing. This implies that there is not enough proof to state that they can cause cancer either in human beings or animals.

- Class 4 - where the agent will probably not cause cancer in human beings.

Reason for this classification
This categorization that was made at an IARC meeting was based on the evaluation of possible risks of cancer from mobile phones. 31 scientists from 14 countries were present at the meeting and the assessment was made taking into account the connection between cancer and the use of mobile phones and other radio-frequency electro-magnetic fields. This assessment took into consideration proofs from exposure to radar and microwave stations and also to atmospheric exposure that could be linked to TV and radio signals. They found that mobile phones could possibly cause two types of brain cancer namely glioma and acoustic neuroma.

To what extent can mobile phones cause cancer?
Studies reveal that there could be a 40% risk of heavy mobile phone users being struck with glioma. This implies that one out of every 33 men and one out of every 185 women users are at the risk of cancer.

Do mobile phones certainly cause cancer?
There is no definite proof that mobile phones cause cancer. IARC's classification only state that there may be chances that these devices could probably be cancer causing, but there is no evidence to substantiate these claims. Cancer Research UK stated that though there have been many links between cancer and mobile phone usage, there is no concrete proof of the same. It also stated that most studies were weak and did not hold water. In addition a mobile phone user's exposure cannot be fathomed and their evaluations are based more on questionnaires and these cannot be taken at face value.

As regards how mobile phone usage could possibly cause cancer. The Cancer Research UK said that the microwave radiation emitted by the phones could be the cause, but at the same time the radiation is so very much less when compared to the radiation from an x-ray.

The best way to reduce radiation is by trying to utilize the mobile phone to the minimum. Moreover, everyone especially children should be allowed to use a mobile phone only when absolutely necessary.