What is the Relationship Between Carcinogens and Cancer?
Carcinogens are substances capable of causing cancer in living tissue. In toxicology, understanding how these agents trigger carcinogenic processes is crucial. Carcinogens can be classified as chemical, physical, or biological agents. Chemical carcinogens include substances like tobacco smoke and certain industrial chemicals. Physical carcinogens include radiation, such as ultraviolet light and x-rays. Biological carcinogens include viruses like human papillomavirus (HPV) and Hepatitis B virus. Toxicologists study these agents to determine how exposure leads to cancer development, often through the formation of DNA damage and disruption of normal cell function.
