Carcinogen is a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue. If a substance is known to promote or aggravate cancer, but not necessarily cause cancer, it may also be called a carcinogen.
Though there are many things that are believed to cause cancer, a substance is only considered carcinogenic if there is significant evidence of its carcinogenicity. It is important to note that carcinogens don’t lead to cancer after every exposure. Some cause cancerous changes following high-level, prolonged exposure, while others may cause damage at lower levels and shorter exposure periods. Furthermore, an individual’s unique genetic makeup may influence the body’s response to a carcinogen.
A carcinogen may act on deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), causing dangerous changes, or it may work to increase the rate of cell division. This change in cell division may work to increase the probability of DNA changes. Some carcinogens promote the development of cancer in other ways as well.
Carcinogen may be caused by Cigeretts contain tobacco wich is also a known carcinogen. The byproducts of chlorine are carcinogenic. Wich I did not know until now. Tobacco smoke is a common carcinogen also. Even asbestos is a carcinogen.