Carcinogens: Environmental and genetic factors

Cancer is one of the most dangerous disease in the human body.5-10% of cancer is caused by

the genetic factor and rest is caused by the environmental carcinogens. Cancer I disease which

is caused by uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in the body.

The presence of cancer in twins has given us indication that cancer can be because of genetic

factors. Cancer is caused by changes to certain genes that alter the way our cells functions.

Some of these genetic changes occur naturally when DNA is replicated during the process of

cell division. But others are the result of environmental exposures that damage DNA. These

exposures may include substances, such as the chemicals in tobacco smoke, or radiation, such

as ultraviolet rays from the sun.

The exposure to these agents in the environment can be cancer causing. The carcinogens in the

environment include microorganisms(viruses, bacteria and parasites), radiations (radioactivity,

UV and pulsed electromagnetic fields), occupational exposures, tobacco smoke, sexual

Behavior, alcohol, dietary constituents, pollutants (in the workplace, air, water, and food

Supply), formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds such as benzene and 1,3 butadiene and

many xenochemicals, carcinogenic metals and metalloids, pharmaceutical medicines, Food

additives, additive in cosmetics, etc.

As the world is progressing in the advancement of technology and especially in the industrial

sector .It is becoming more threatening to environment and ecosystem .The destruction of the

ecosystem is becoming the cause of many diseases. Every industry in addition to its major

products also produces some by products and waste products which are disposed of in the
environment and when these waste chemicals come in contact with the human body. They

cause many diseases as they also have carcinogens in them so cancers develop in the human

body. Many microorganisms are the part of these waste products .

Major carcinogens, numerous and of varied natures, have been

Observed and identified in the working environment (asbestos fibres, heavy metals, soot and

tar,arsenic, benzene, aromatic amines, vinyl monochloride, ionizing radiation, etc.), and in

the overall environment (residential radon, UV radiation, aflatoxin). Several viruses

(EBV, HPV, HBV, HCV, HTLV1, HHV8, etc.) have been shown to be carcinogenic, as

are some bacteria (Helicobacter pylori) and parasites (Schistosoma). Certain major

carcinogens are of iatrogenic origin, in particular cancer treatments (ionizing radiations,

alkylating agents, epipodophyllotoxin), as are, to a lesser degree, some hormone

Treatments.

Millions of people are addicted to alcohol and smoking. The cars exhaust also produces smoke

in the air. The smoke of cigarette is one of the biggest source of the lungs cancer. Millions of

people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year as the smoke of cigarette contains many of

the above mentioned carcinogens. The electricity production by coal is also one of the sources

of carcinogens. As tar is released in the air as a result of electricity production in a coal power

plant.

The conservation of environmental resources and prevention against the pollutants and safe

reproduction are the only ways to reduce the carcinogens as cancer is one of the most

threatening diseases in the world

References

NTP,(march 18,2015),Cancer-Causing Substances in the Environment

Extracted from: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances

Kumar,R. Role of Environmental Factors in Carcinogenesis, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007.