Recognizing Carcinogenic Substances – Substances That Cause Cancer

Perhaps you have heard the term carcinogenic. Or maybe you’ve advised to not eat or use a certain product because it can cause cancer. Actually what is carcinogenic, and what are the examples?Carcinogenic substances are substances that cause cancer or increase the risk of cancer.

Cancer is caused by changes (mutations) of genes or DNA of body cells so that they develop into abnormal cells that will not die and grow out of control. Carcinogens can cause cancer directly, by causing a change or mutations in DNA of body cells, and indirectly by triggering rapid cell division resulting in the failure to create the perfect cells.

What is the source of carcinogenic?

According to WHO (World Health Organization), 35% of carcinogenic comes from food and beverages that we consume daily, 30% comes from cigarettes you inhaled every day and the rest comes from environmental exposure.

Broadly speaking, the source of carcinogens can be divided into:

1. Drugs.

Several kinds of drugs such as tranquilizers, fever medications, antibiotics, anti-pain medication and others contain chemicals that can increase the risk of cancer. Therefore, it is important to take the drug according to indication and appropriate dose. Similarly, the various products used in agricultural processes such as fertilizers, pesticides, etc.. It is also important to use hazardous materials wisely.

2. Environmental pollution.

Pollution generated by factories, cars and power plants contributed greatly to the cause of cancer in continuous exposure.

3. Virus.

Various kinds of viruses are recognized have relationship with cancer incidence. Such as hepatitis virus, Epstein-Barr virus, Human papilloma virus etc.. These viruses cause changes at the cellular level causing gene mutations.

4. Lifestyle.

Unhealthy lifestyles lead you to the exposure to carcinogens such as smoking, drinking alcohol, obesity, lack of exercise etc.

5. Foods.

Not only canned food or manufactured foods that contain carcinogenic, but carcinogenic also found in natural foods such as aflatoxins in peanuts.

6. Sunlight.

With the greenhouse phenomenon and the presence of holes in the ozone layer, our body can be exposed to ultraviolet rays that can lead to cancer.

The question is, whether we will be directly affected by cancer when exposed to carcinogenic substances? This is depends on the potency of carcinogenic substances. But on average, to be able to cause cancer, it takes a long time exposure and in large doses.

You may like: Premenstrual Syndrome Or PMS.

According to The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), carcinogenic substances are divided into:

  • Group 1: Have a carcinogenic effect in humans.
  • Group 2: Most likely to be carcinogenic in humans.
  • Group 3: Probably carcinogenic to humans.
  • Group 4: Not classified as carcinogenic substances in human.
  • Group 5: Probably not carcinogenic to humans.

Because of the difficulty in determining that a substances is as a carcinogenic (it requires research and experimentation in the long run), then only 100 types of substances that can definitely be classified as carcinogenic substances in humans, its remains only categorized as a substance that may be carcinogenic .

So, how does the prevention of exposure to these carcinogens?

The main thing is to run a healthy lifestyle, among other things:

  • Expand to eat vegetables and fruits.
  • Expand eat natural foods.
  • Often choose dishes that are boiled or steamed instead of fried and baked foods.
  • Drink plenty of water as an attempt to detoxification of toxins in the body.
  • Exercise regularly (at least 30 minutes a day).
  • Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, consuming drinks and packaging food.
  • Reduce storage of food in plastic. If forced, choose a safe plastic containers.
  • Take the medication according to the recommended dosage and usage.
  • Reduce exposure to sunlight during the day (at 10:00 to 3:00 p.m.).
  • Use condom during intercourse because many cancer-causing virus are transmitted through body fluids.
  • Use cover mouth and nose when you are traveling.
  • Consider the content of existing chemicals in the products you’ll use.

Tips above are just a few of many other things you can do to avoid exposure to carcinogenic substances. Therefore, begin to reduce the exposure to carcinogenic substances since now to live better. Good luck.