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In pathology, a carcinogen is any substance or agent that promotes cancer. Carcinogens are also often, but not necessarily, mutagens or teratogens.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 cell death to prevent further damage. When the damage interferes with cell death or encourages cell division, cancer occurs. Rapidly dividing cells, such as in skin, the stomach lining, breast tissue, and reproductive organs, are particularly sensitive to carcinogens due to harmful DNA being quickly copied.
Nearly all carcinogens consumed by humans are produced by plants to prevent animalSubkingdom Parazoa Porifera (sponges) Subkingdom " Agnotozoa" Placozoa Orthonectida Rhombozoa Subkingdom Metazoa "Radiata" Cnidaria Ctenophora (comb jellies) Bilateria Protostomia Acoelomorpha Platyhelminthes (flatworms) Nemertina (ribbon worms) Gastrotris from eating them. Plants containing large amounts of carcinogens include aristolochiaSee text Aristolochia is a large genus of plants with over 500 species, belonging to the Birthwort family ( Aristolochiaceae). This a genus of evergreen and deciduous woody vines and herbaceous perennials. They are widespread and occur in the most diverse and brackenPteridium aquilinum ''Pteridium caudatum ''Pteridium latiusculum and about 7-8 other species Brackens Pteridium are a genus of about ten species of large, coarse ferns, in the family Hypolepidaceae''. The genus has probably the widest distribution of any. AflatoxinChemical structure of Aflatoxin B1 Aflatoxins are naturally occurring mycotoxins that act as carcinogens and are produced by two types of mold, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus''. Aflatoxins are carcinogenic to both rodents and humans. Asper B1, which is produced by the fungusChytridiomycota Zygomycota Ascomycota Basidiomycota The Fungi (singular: fungus are a large group of organisms ranked as a kingdom within the Domain Eukaryota. Included are the conspicuous mushrooms, but also many microscopic forms such as molds and yeast Aspergillus flavus growing on improperly stored grainThe word grain has a great many meanings, most being descriptive of a small piece or particle. For examples: a grain of sand or salt; see grain size for granule a grain is a type of simple dry fruit technically called a caryopsis . In agriculture, such crs and nutA nut is a type of fruit borne by certain flowering plants. A nut is a type of hardware: a small, often hexagonal piece of metal, with a hole with internal screw thread, to be fitted onto a bolt which is inserted through holes of two or more objects, to as, is an example of a naturally-occurring carcinogen of considerable potency.
DDTThis article is about the chemical. DDT is also a move in Professional wrestling, see Professional wrestling throws. DDT is also the name of a computer debugger. DDT is also the name of a Russian rock band. DDT or Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (ClCH)C, benzene, kepone, EDB , and asbestos have all been classified as carcinogenic. Tobacco smoke has also been identified as a rich source of dozens of carcinogens, including benzopyrene, tobacco-specific nitrosamines such as nitrosonornicotine , and reactive aldehydes such as formaldehyde. Certain viruses such as Hepatitis B and human papilloma viruses have also been found to cause cancer in humans.
CERCLA identifies all radionuclides as carcinogens, although the nature of the emitted radiation, its capacity to generate ionization in biological systems, and the magnitude of a given radiation exposure determine its potential to pose a meaningful carcinogenic hazard. For example, Thorotrast, a suspension that was 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 absorption and slow re-distribution in various organs.
Recent reports have implicated acrylamide in fried or overheated carbohydrate foods (such as french fries and potato chips) as a potential carcinogenic hazard. Studies are currently underway at the US Food and Drug Administration and equivalent European regulatory agencies to assess the potential magnitude of the risk (if any) for cancer development from dietary acrylamide.
