What causes cancer?
There are genetic factors that increase the likelihood of developing some cancers.
Chemicals and other agents that can cause cancer are called carcinogenA chemical or other agent that causes cancer..
Carcinogens cause cancer by damaging DNADeoxyribonucleic acid. The material inside the nucleus of cells, carrying the genetic information of a living being.. Carcinogens cause mutationA random and spontaneous change in the structure of a gene, chromosome or number of chromosomes. to occur. A single mutation will not cause cancer. Several are required for this to occur. For this reason, we are more likely to develop cancer as we get older.
Something that increases the likelihood of developing a disease is called a risk factor. There are several risk factors for various types of cancers including:
Lifestyle factors:
- viruses linked with cancer, such as the human papilloma virus (HPV), being spread from person to person through sexual intercourse
- the chemical carcinogens in cigarette smoke increasing the risk of lung cancer
- alcohol intake is linked with certain cancers
- exposure to ultravioletA high energy part of the electromagnetic spectrum associated with sunburn and skin cancer., part of which is ionising radiationRadiation that is able to remove electrons from atoms or molecules to produce positively charged particles called ions., during sunbathing or outdoor activities, leading to the development of skin cancers
- diet, including fat and salt intake, increases the risk of cancer
Industrial and environmental factors at work:
- exposure to ionising radiation increases the risk factor
- exposure to chemical carcinogens
There are also genetic risk factors for some cancers.