The Mesothelioma SOS Glossary - Carcinogenic
A carcinogen is any substance that produces cancer or cancerous growth. The process of forming cancerous cells from normal cells is known as carcinogenesis. Carcinogens are believed to cause cancer by altering cellular metabolism, or by damaging DNA directly within the cells, which interferes with the normal biological process of the cell. There are many substances that medical professionals believe to be carcinogenic, yet there are few substances that are actually proven carcinogens. Asbestos is a known carcinogen that works by damaging DNA within cells. Other carcinogens include tobacco, vinyl chloride, viruses such as Hepatitis B and human papilloma virus, benzene, kepone, and radionuclides, among others. Co-carcinogens are chemicals that separately do not produce cancer, but they do so in specific combinations.
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