Cancer and Carcinogens

Written By: Arman Momeni

Cancer has been an illness that has long plagued humanity. The earliest cancerous growths in humans were found in Egyptian and Peruvian societies dating back to 1500 BC. Since then, the illness has only continued to grow. In 2022 alone, there were an estimated 1.9 million new cases of cancer and 609,360 cancer related deaths. After identifying that cancer was a gene-related illness in the late 1900s, scientists and researchers have been looking for outlets to suppress and possibly cure the condition.

Cancer:

Cancer, in general, refers to a wide variety of diseases that are caused by abnormalities in cell structure and function. Cancer cells divide uncontrollably and have the ability to destroy normal body tissue. Cancer cells also have the ability to spread through the body and attack different organ systems. Cancer symptoms vary based on which part of the body is affected, however, general symptoms include fatigue, pain, and a lump that can be felt under the skin.

Cancer is caused by mutations to the DNA (the carrier of genetic information in living organisms). DNA is normally packed tightly within the nucleus of a cell and contains a set of instruction (the genetic information), which directs cell function and behaviour. In cancerous cells, a mutation has affected these instructions and provides the cell with incorrect information on how it should function. These errors in the instructions cause the cell to behave in an abnormal manner and become “cancerous.”

A healthy cell detects and fixes mutations, divides at a healthy rate, works with other cells to perform a beneficial function, and destroys itself when it is no longer healthy. On the other hand, a cancerous cell goes rogue; it divides rapidly, does not stop dividing, provides no useful function to the body, steals nutrients from other cells, and spreads (metastasizes) to other parts of the body.

Cancer causing gene mutations can occur for two main reasons; either you are born with a genetic mutation that you inherited from your parents, or your genes mutate, for some other reason, after you are born. There are many factors that can cause a genetic mutation, such as radiation, viruses, smoking, carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals), or lack of exercise. This article is going to focus on carcinogens, the cancer-causing chemicals that have the ability to foster certain mutations within the human genome.

Carcinogens

There are several substances, agents, or even organisms that have been known or proven to cause cancer. All these cancer-causing entities are grouped into a category called: carcinogens.

You may recall, sitting in the hot sun as your parents inundate you to put on sunscreen. Not only are they telling you this to save you from the pain the burn will cause in the near future, but also to protect your long-term health. The sun emits ultraviolet rays, which are a very dangerous type of carcinogen. Yes, carcinogens are not just synthetic, they can be naturally occurring and prominent within the environment.

Additionally, carcinogens can also often be found in beloved man-made products. Nutella, for example, pertains some potentially carcinogenic compounds, primarily within its refined palm oil. Cigarettes, and exhaust fumes are also just some other examples for potentially high-risk compounds.

Even certain health measures are carcinogens themselves. X-rays, when they were first invented in the early 1900s, became a widely essential device for clinical care. It was revolutionary in making diagnoses of fractures and other internal issues. However, only a couple years after its widespread use, it was deemed that the radiation from X-rays was indeed extremely carcinogenic. Now, there are several precautions before one is sent in for a scan using X-rays. Often there are background checks and one’s primary physician keeps a record of how much radiation a patient is exposed to, ensuring that they are not over-exhibited to carcinogenic radiation.

How do Carcinogens Work?

It has been established that cancer is a genetic disease; most issues spawn from mutations within a cell’s DNA. Intuitively, therefore, carcinogens work by interacting with a cell’s DNA to produce certain circumstances that allow for the growth and creation of cancer cells.

Interact, however, is a very broad term. What does it mean for a chemical or organism to interact with the DNA? Well, carcinogens generally either take a direct or indirect approach of screwing with a cell and its DNA. Firstly, carcinogens can directly damage the DNA inside of a cell. This means that whatever the interaction between the carcinogen and the DNA was, it completely ruptured the DNA and put it in an abnormal state. Generally, a cell within this abnormal state will struggle to function properly, eventually progressing to become cancerous.

Secondly, carcinogens can cause cancer more indirectly, not immediately destroying the cell. Sometimes, carcinogens interfere with the body’s ability to repair certain damages and deformities. While the carcinogen may have been the root of the damage in the first place, its prevention of repair can lead, once again, to cancerous development.

Works Cited

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Cancer facts & figures 2022. American Cancer Society. (n.d.). https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-facts-statistics/all-cancer-facts-figures/cancer-facts-figures-2022.html#:~:text=Estimated%20numbers%20of%20new%20cancer,factors%2C%20early%20detection%2C%20and%20treatment

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, December 7). Cancer. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20370588#:~:text=Overview,to%20spread%20throughout%20your%20body.

Carcinogen. Genome.gov. (n.d.). https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Carcinogen#:~:text=A%20carcinogen%20is%20a%20substance,exhaust%20fumes%20and%20cigarette%20smoke).

Fayed, L., & Julie Scott, M. (2022, May 17). How these common carcinogens may be increasing your risk for cancers. Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/carcinogens-in-cigarettes-how-they-cause-cancer-514412