Radiophobia as a Confounding Variable in Low-dose Radiation Epidemiology: Reassessing Cancer Risk Near Nuclear Power Plants

This paper critically evaluates a causal mechanism in recent epidemiological claims, such as those by Alwadi et al. (2025 , 2026), which suggest an association between cancer incidence and residential proximity to nuclear power plants. While such studies frequently attract public and media attention, they often overlook the confounding role of radiophobia, chronic fear, and perceived risk of radiation exposure. Drawing on longitudinal data from nuclear accidents and research in psychoneuroimmunology, this work examines how sustained psychological stress may influence immune function and disease processes, including cancer. Additionally, this work explores how cultural and ideological worldviews shape risk perception, amplifying anxiety and potentially biasing both health outcomes and epidemiological findings. This work argues that future research in low-dose radiation epidemiology must integrate these psychosocial variables to prevent erroneous causal inferences and to support more accurate public health guidance and energy policy.