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WebMD Medical Reference
Reviewed
by Laura J. Martin,
MD
You've probably heard the word "carcinogen" pop
up in news stories and wondered what that means for your everyday life.
A carcinogen is something that can cause you to
have cancer.
It may be a substance in the air, a product you use, or a chemical in foods and
drinks.
Your chance of getting sick depends on many things. How
much you've been exposed to it is part of it. Your genes also play a role.
Researchers use different methods to decide whether
something should be called a carcinogen.
Large doses of a substance can be given to lab animals to
see if they get cancer. Scientists also study the results of
many studies.
Tobacco
It doesn't matter whether you're a smoker or breathing in
someone else's smoke. At least 70 chemicals in tobacco are known to cause cancer by damaging your DNA.
Smokeless tobacco may seem safer, but it can lead to
cancer, too. Even light smoking raises your risk, so talk to your
doctor about ways to quit.
Radon
This gas occurs in small amounts in nature, where it's
harmless. But if it builds up indoors and you breathe it in, radon breaks down
the lining of your lungs.
It's the No. 1 cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. You
can't see or smell radon, but a special test can check the levels in your home.
Some state radon offices offer kits for free.
Asbestos
The tough, tiny fibers in asbestos help
strengthen products like roof shingles, ceiling tiles, and car parts. Yet if
these fibers break free and you breathe them in, they get lodged inside
your lungs.
Studies of people and animals have shown that asbestos is
a carcinogen.
If you come into contact with it at your job, wear
protective gear. If it's in your home and needs to be removed, hire an expert.
Crispy, Brown Foods
When some vegetables, like potatoes, are heated to high
temps, they give off a chemical called acrylamide.
Studies show that rats who took in acrylamide in their
drinking water got cancer, so researchers think
humans do, too.
You can cut the amount you eat by baking, roasting,
frying, and toasting foods until they're a tan color instead of golden or deep
brown.
Formaldehyde
From plywood to some fabrics, this chemical is used in
many household products. Studies on lab rats and people who are around
formaldehyde at their jobs show it can cause cancer.
Before buying any wood products or furniture for your
home, find out if they contain formaldehyde. Air out your house every day and
keep humidity levels low with an air conditioner or dehumidifier.
Ultraviolet Rays
Studies show that ultraviolet (UV) rays, whether from the
sun or a tanning bed, get absorbed into your skin and damage the cells there.
Most skin cancer cases are due to UV rays.
Pollution and climate change make these rays stronger. To
stay safe, protect your skin with sunscreen, wear a hat and sunglasses, and avoid tanning salons.
Alcohol
The more booze you drink, the greater your odds of
getting certain kinds of cancers, such as:
·
Head and neck
·
Esophageal
·
Breast
·
Liver
·
Colorectal
One reason for this may be carcinogenic chemicals
produced when beer, wine, and hard liquor are made.
Experts suggest women have no more than one drink each
day and men no more than two.
Processed Meat
Bacon, salami, pepperoni, sausage -- any meat
that's been preserved or flavored raises your chances of getting colon cancer.
Experts reached that view by looking at more than 800
studies.
Eating a hot dog every once in a while is fine, but limit
how much processed meat you have as much as you can.
Engine Exhaust
Trucks, buses, trains, and even some cars run on diesel
fuel. The gas and soot in diesel engine exhaust are believed to cause lung
cancer and other types of cancer.
When you can, avoid idling in traffic or spending time
next to diesel-run vehicles. If it's part of your job, follow workplace safety
guidelines to protect your health.
Pollution
Aside from exhaust, polluted outdoor air contains dust
and traces of metals and solvents that can lead to cancer. Experts know this
from looking at data from over 1.2 million people across the U.S.
You can't avoid pollution, but you can do your part to
avoid contributing to it by walking or biking instead of driving.
Follow local public health warnings and stay indoors on
days when air quality is bad.
WebMD
Medical Reference Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD on
July 21, 2018
Laura
J. Martin,
MD, MPH, is a former medical editor for WebMD who was responsible for reviewing
WebMD news and feature stories to ensure their medical accuracy. She has many
years of experience in the practice of both inpatient and outpatient internal
medicine. She has served as a medical educator in the fields of general
internal medicine, palliative care, and medical ethics.
She
obtained her master's degree in public health at Tulane University, followed by
her medical degree at Louisiana State University Medical School in New Orleans.
Martin completed her residency in internal medicine at Emory University School
of Medicine in Atlanta. She practiced general internal medicine in a private
practice setting in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., for several years before returning
to Atlanta, where she practiced academic medicine at Emory University for more
than 10 years.
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