Thoughts about Carcinogen

Carcinogen

In pathology, a carcinogen is any substance or agent that promotes cancer. Carcinogens are also often, but not necessarily, mutagens or teratogens. Carcinogens may cause cancer by altering cellular metabolism or damaging DNA directly in cells, which interferes with normal biological processes. Usually cells are able to detect this and attempt to repair the DNA; if they cannot, they may undergo programmed cell death to protect the organism. 1

Carcinogens cause cancer by altering DNA in cells, interfering with normal biological processes. Usually cells are able to detect this and attempt to repair the DNA; if they cannot, they undergo programmed cell death to protect the organism. When the damage interferes with cell death or encourages cell division, cancer may occur. Rapidly dividing cells, such as in skin, the stomach and intestinal lining, breast tissue, and reproductive organs, are particularly sensitive to carcinogens due to any harmful DNA being quickly copied. 2

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A carcinogen is a substance that can cause cancer in humans or animals. Carcinogens bring about molecular and biochemical disturbances in cells, resulting in dedifferentiation (the loss of cells’ morphological and functional specializations, such that they behave like immature cells capable of resuming cell division) and uncontrolled growth (neoplasia). 3

Carcinogens may cause cancer by altering cellular metabolism or damaging DNA directly in cells, which interferes with normal biological processes. Usually cells are able to detect this and attempt to repair the DNA; if they cannot, they may undergo programmed cell death to protect the organism. However, when the damage interferes with genes responsible for programmed cell death or perhaps encourages cell division, cancer may occur. Rapidly dividing cells, such as in skin, the stomach and intestinal lining, breast tissue, and reproductive organs, are particularly sensitive to carcinogens due to any damaged DNA being quickly replicated. Unrepaired DNA replication can then lead to further accumulation of mutations between cell divisions. 4

A known human carcinogen means there is sufficient evidence of a cause and effect relationship between exposure to the material and cancer in humans. Such determination requires evidence from epidemiologic (demographic and statistical), clinical, and/or tissue/cell studies involving humans who were exposed to the substance in question. Obviously, it is unethical to deliberately test potential carcinogens on humans, so “proving” something (in the rigorous scientific sense) to be a carcinogen in humans is a difficult, demanding and lengthy task! 5

A3 - Animal Carcinogen: The agent is carcinogenic in experimental animals at a relatively high dose, by route(s) of administration, at site(s) of histologic type(s), or by mechanism(s) that are not considered relevant to worker exposure. Available epidemiological studies do not confirm an increased risk of cancer in exposed humans. Available evidence suggests that the agent is not likely to cause cancer in humans except under uncommon or unlikely routes or levels of exposure. 6

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia can cause cancer . Exposure to one or more carcinogens, including certain chemicals, radiation, and develop cancer when exposed to a specific carcinogen or combination of carcinogens. 7

CERCLA identifies all radionuclides as carcinogens, although the nature of the emitted radiation (alpha, beta, or gamma, and the energy), its consequent capacity to cause ionization in tissues, and the magnitude of radiation exposure, determine the potential hazard. For example, Thorotrast, an (incidentally-radioactive) suspension previously used as a contrast medium in x-ray diagnostics, is thought by some to be the most potent human carcinogen known because of its retention within various organs and persistent emission of alpha particles. Both Wilhelm R?ntgen and Marie Curie died of cancer caused by radiation exposure during their experiments. The non-reproducing cells of the (non-gametogenic) tissues of adult insects are particularly resistant. 8

Carcinogens may increase the risk of getting cancer by altering cellular metabolism or damaging DNA directly in cells, which interferes with biological processes, and induces the uncontrolled, malignant division ultimately. Usually DNA damage, if too severe to repair, leads to programmed cell death, but if the programmed cell death pathway is damaged, then the cell cannot prevent itself from becoming a cancer cell. 9

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