Lesser-Known Carcinogens You Must NOT Ignore

Carcinogens are substances or agents that can cause cancer in human beings.

Carcinogens are substances or agents that can cause cancer in human beings. While many people are well aware of cancer, very little information is known about these agents that primarily cause cancer. 

The most common types of cancer are breast cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, and oral cancer. In India, there is a ninety-seven percent chance of cancer incidence, with this rate expected to increase over the next five years. 

Also, women have a higher risk of developing cancer because of both internal and external factors. These cancers also go undiagnosed until the late stages have been reached, where treatment becomes difficult. 

Hence, it is necessary to regularly get medical checkups so these cancers, if present, can be detected at the earliest. 

How to Identify the Presence of Cancer

CT scans and MRI scans are some of the commonly used scans to detect cancers. You can also avail of MRI CT Online Booking Appointment to easily access information on available slots. 

Another precautionary measure you can take to limit your risk of developing cancer is educating yourself about the different carcinogens present around us. This knowledge will help you limit your exposure to such carcinogens.

Sometimes, we may expose ourselves to toxic carcinogens without our knowledge. Hence, here is some information about some lesser-known carcinogens that will help you be more cautious and avoid such circumstances:

Radon 

What is Radon?

Radon is a radioactive gas. This means that it emits radiation when it undergoes the process of decay. 

Radon is a product of the decay of Uranium, which is a metal found commonly in soils. Hence, when Uranium undergoes decay, Radon is generated. This Radon gets accumulated in groundwater and can reach the atmosphere when this groundwater is extracted for use. 

How Does Radon Reach Humans?

Mines present below the ground surface usually have large quantities of Radon. But, buildings and homes built on soils rich in Uranium can develop unhealthy amounts of Radon over time. 

The reasons for this accumulation could be cracks in basement floors, no room for ventilation, or completely insulated homes.

How is Radon Harmful to Humans?

As stated previously, the primary causative agents of cancer obtained from Radon are its decay products. 

These products include minute particles that also have radioactive properties. When inhaled, these particles accumulate in the lungs of humans. 

Once accumulated, these particles release toxic radiation. These radiations penetrate the tissues of the lungs, severely damaging them. As these radiations reach larger surface areas, the entire lungs can be affected, causing lung cancer.

Formaldehyde

What is Formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde is a colorless chemical that is produced when methanol undergoes oxidation. It has wide applications in laboratories where it is used as a disinfectant and antiseptic. 

As a disinfectant, Formaldehyde is commonly used to store biological specimens for educative purposes. It is also found in trace amounts in automobile emissions and smoke from cigarettes. 

Commercially, Formaldehyde is used in the large-scale manufacture of cosmetics, fertilizers, and paper. Hence, Formaldehyde is widely used on a commercial scale. 

How Does Formaldehyde Reach Humans?

Formaldehyde is present in the atmosphere and the bodies of human beings in trace amounts. However, these quantities of Formaldehyde are mostly harmless.

One of the significant sources of toxic levels of Formaldehyde in the atmosphere is emissions from various automobiles. Apart from this, wooden furniture present in homes is a source of formaldehyde resins that can create a higher level of Formaldehyde inside the house. 

House paints, detergents used for washing utensils, wooden flooring, cosmetics, and kerosene stoves are some of the other sources of Formaldehyde inside the house. 

How is Formaldehyde Harmful to Humans?

Exposure and ingestion of Formaldehyde are mainly linked to leukemia, a type of cancer that primarily affects the bone marrow and other cells concerned with the production of blood.

Previous experiments conducted on rats showed the presence of cancers in the nasal cavity when these rats were exposed to Formaldehyde. 

People that work in industries where handling of Formaldehyde is essential, such as lab workers, medical personnel, and mortuary assistants, have shown a higher risk of developing leukemia. 

Formaldehyde can also affect DNA by breaking individual strands of DNA and combining these strands with adjacent proteins, hence preventing the repair of these broken strands. 

Acrylamide in Potato Chips 

All over India, people love consuming chips in all forms, from packeted flavored chips to French fries available in popular fast-food joints. 

But what most people are unaware of is that these chips can cause cancer. Yes, you heard that right, your favorite chips can cause cancer!

What is Acrylamide?

One of the significant components of processed chips is acrylamide. Some experiments conducted on rats have shown that this chemical, which is a form of an amide, has the ability to cause cancer. 

How is Acrylamide Harmful to Humans?

When consumed, acrylamide undergoes a reaction to generate glycidamide, another type of amide that is a mutagenic agent. This means that this compound has the ability to change the structure of DNA by causing mutations.  

Many studies are still being conducted to figure out the extent to which acrylamide can affect the human body as a carcinogen.

Endnotes

As the fatality rates and risk of cancer in humans continue to increase, people must be well informed about the causative agents of this deadly disease. 

Since there is no complete cure for cancer that has been discovered yet, it is necessary to take appropriate measures to ensure the prevention of this disease. 

Adequate knowledge of the common carcinogens around you is the first precautionary step to stay healthy and keep cancer away from you!