Clinical Nutrition

Lesson 31: Cancer

Causes of cancer cell development

Basic cause of cancer development is a fundamental loss of control over normal cell reproduction. This may be due to

• Mutations – as a result of loss of one or more regulatory genes of the cell nucleus. This may be inherited or due to exposure to some environmental agent.
• Chemical carcinogens which interfere with the structure/ function of the genes. These include cigarette smoking, exposure to pesticide residues, pollution, food additives, and contaminants.
• Radiation – damages DNA, causes breakages and incorrect joining of chromosomes, X-Rays, atomic exhausts, sunlight are all examples of harmful radiation.
• Oncogenic viruses – these interfere with the function of the regulatory genes.