Carcinogenesis
Carcinogenesis is the act of forming a cancer. Carcinogens cause
mutations in our DNA which can lead to cancer. Therefore,
chemicals that cause cancer are called carcinogens. Studies
estimate that 2/3 of all cancers are caused by environmental
carcinogens that could be eliminated. These carcinogens include
tobacco, various chemicals, viruses, dietary factors, radiation
sources and sunlight.
How do carcinogens work? Chemical carcinogens, whether they are
natural or man-made, cause injuries to the cell in the same
basic manner. A carcinogen (radiation, pesticide, tobacco smoke,
etc...) enters the tissue of an individual. Once a carcinogen
enters the body, it is broken down into an unstable molecule.
These chemically unstable molecules are called free radicals.
These free radicals may directly interact with cellular
material, like DNA. Free radicals can take nicks out of DNA and
alter it. If the free radicals do interact with DNA and nick it,
the DNA may become altered. This is how mistakes (or mutations)
to our DNA may result.
If you remember our discussion of DNA and cancer, it is the
alterations in DNA that may eventually lead to cancer. Sometimes
the free radicals interact with other areas of a cell, but the
greatest impact can occur when a specific piece of DNA is
damaged.
Just imagine, every time we are exposed to a carcinogen, these
free radicals form and bump into structures within a cell
causing all sorts of damage. It is a miracle our bodies are able
to prevent cancers as often as they do since we are exposed to
so many carcinogens in our daily lives!
Much of our exposure to carcinogens is from natural sources. For
example, the sunlight we are exposed to every day is
carcinogenic. The cells within our bodies have developed
incredible mechanisms to compensate for carcinogens, but there
is a limit to the amount of exposure they can take. If an
individual is exposed to too many carcinogens, their body can
become "overloaded with free radicals". In these instances,
inevitably, something will wind up damaged.
This section on carcinogens does not intend to point out
everything that is thought to be carcinogenic, just some of the
things you should be aware of. In some of our other articles, we
focus on radiation and some of the earth's natural substances.
In addition we will cover the man-made cancer causing agents
that are polluting our food, water, and probably even the places
we live and work in. It is a rising concern and pressure from
everyday citizens that will keep the problems from getting
worse.