What is carcinogenicity? Explain with two examples.
Answers
A carcinogen is defined as something that can directly cause cancer. This can be a chemical substance, a virus, or even the medications and radiation we use to treat cancer. While many cancers are caused by a carcinogen or combination of carcinogens, the tendency to develop cancer may also be inherited as part of our genome.
Types of carcinogens include:
Chemicals/substances - Certain chemicals used the home or workplace may be carcinogenic. For example, asbestos in insulation can lead to lung cancer and mesothelioma. Many people have a sense that if a chemical could cause cancer it would not be allowed in our homes. That's not the case.
Environmental radiation – Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is a well-known cause of skin cancer. Radon emitted from the normal decay of uranium in the soil and then trapped in homes is a leading cause of lung cancer.
Medical radiation - Both radiation used medically for diagnostic tests and that used to treat cancer are considered carcinogens. For example, women who receive radiation therapy after a mastectomy for breast cancer are at an increased risk of developing lung cancer due to the carcinogenicity of radiation.
Viruses - Viruses such as human papillomaviruses which cause oral cancer and cervical cancer, and hepatitis C which can cause liver cancer are considered carcinogens. Check out the other viruses which are thought to cause cancer.