Carcinogen

From ArticleWorld

Carcinogens are substances which change the cellular metabolism or damage the DNA of the cell. Cells are prepared for this kind of invasion and are able to detect and try to fix the DNA; if this is not possible, cells are also capable of suicide in order to protect the body. The problem begins when the damage is done to the genes responsible for this programmed cell death- which means that the damaged cells divide and spread at will.

Susceptible areas

There are areas in the body which are particularly vulnerable to carcinogens as they are areas where cells divide rapidly and so the damage is spread quickly. These areas include the skin, the stomach, breast tissue and the reproductive organs.

Kinds of carcinogens

Carcinogens may be mutagens, which is a substance like a chemical compound or radiation that changes the DNA of an organism, or a teratogen which is the term used for abnormal cells amassing during fetal growth and cause physical deformities. Alcohol and tobacco smoke are two examples of this.

Carcinogens are endemic in the environment and, in fact, the majority consumed is produced by plants to stop animals eating them. Methods of cooking food such as broiling and barbecuing encourage the production of carcinogens in the food. An uproar was caused recently by the theory that frying carbohydrates could cause the food to become a carcinogen. As this included French fries, the implications could be enormous.

There are of course many carcinogens which have nothing to do with food or cooking methods. DDT, asbestos and industrial and tobacco smoke are all well-known as being dangerous to our health. In a recent European study, the WWF revealed that DDT was present in the bloodstream of grandmothers despite the fact that it has been banned for over 30 years. Some viruses like Hepatitis B are also carcinogens.