Carcinogens are substances or agents that can cause cancer.
How Carcinogens Cause Cancer
Carcinogens cause cancer by affecting the genetic information, orDNA, in cells.
A carcinogen can directly damage DNA and cause changes calledmutations.
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Your risk of cancer increases based on several factors:
How Long Before Carcinogens Cause Cancer?
Types of Carcinogens
Carcinogens exist in a range of indoor or outdoor environments.
They include chemicals, viruses, medications, and pollutants.
Some carcinogens are linked to specific types of cancer.
Two common ones are formaldehyde andasbestos.
Environmental Radiation
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is a well-known cause ofskin cancer.
you could protect your skin by wearing hats and protective clothing when outdoors.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
you could have your hometested for radonand install a radon mitigation system if levels are high.
Viruses
There are several viruses linked to cancer.
These affect healthy cells genetic makeup and can make it more likely that they will turn into cancer.
They are only effective if vaccination occurs prior to being exposed to the virus.
Medications
Somechemotherapyand hormonal therapy drugs can raise the risk of cancer.
Pollution
Both outdoor and indoor air may contain pollutants that are carcinogenic.
Indoor air pollutants can also lead to the development of lung cancer.
They are a part of daily life, so you really can’t avoid them entirely.
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