Causes of cancer cell development

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.
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Last modified: Monday, 7 November 2011, 6:37 AM