What are the main groups of carcinogens?
• Chemicals
a) In most cases, a chemical carcinogen enters the food supply as food additive or through use in agriculture. (Mold that sometimes develops on such food crops as corn and peanuts are also suspected of containing carcinogens).
b) In discharging waste products, some factories release chemical carcinogens into the environment. These carcinogens may pollute the air or drinking water.
c) The tars in tobacco smoke are also chemical carcinogens.
d) Certain industrial chemicals such as aniline dyes, arsenic, asbestos, chromium and iron compounds.
e) Certain natural food chemicals.
f) Certain chemicals used in drugs.
Some chemicals naturally present in food may become a cancer threat if consumed in large quantities. Diets high in fats have been associated with cancers of breast, colon and prostate gland. The consumption of large amounts of salt – cured, salt pickled, and smoked foods has been linked to cancer of the digestive system, where use a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole – grain breads and cereals seem to reduce the risk of certain cancers.
Some studies proved that if females take large doses, without doctor permission, of
artificial hormones which are called estrogens that are used in birth control pills and in drugs to relive symptoms of menopause may have cancer of the uterus and a few cases showed liver cancer.
• Radiation People exposed to certain radiations for long periods may develop cancer, e.g. cancer of skin caused by ultra violet rays from the sun.
• Viruses Some types of leukemia is linked to virus but still viruses are not a major causes of human cancer.

• Inherited tendencies Some cancers such as breast and colon occur among blood
relatives at higher rates. Researchers have found evidence that people inherit genes that are vital to early tissue development but that may become modified and cause cancer later in life.

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