A mutagen is an agent that causes a DNA mutation. Some of the known mutagens are radiation, certain chemicals and some viruses. Yet, not all mutations are caused by mutagens because sometimes they occur spontaneously during the natural cell processes.
A carcinogen is a substance or exposure that causes cancer. Cancer is a health condition in which cells grow out of control. Carcinogens can be a naturally occurring or artificially created substance.
Not all mutagens are carcinogens because not all gene mutations cause cancer. In fact, sometimes a mutagen caused mutation can be beneficial. And not all exposures to carcinogens result in cancer.
Limiting exposure is difficult because known carcinogens are present in a broad range of circumstances. Additionally, carcinogens do not automatically cause everyone cancer as these variables can make a difference:
- genetic factors
- level of exposure
- length of exposure
- how exposed ~ touch, ingest
- lifestyle factors ~ weight, diet,physical activity
Here’s just a partial list of some known carcinogens you might hear about:
- radon
- tobacco
- aflatoxin
- benzene
- coal tars
- asbestos
- tamoxifen
- wood dust
- HIV type 1
- vinyl chloride
- formaldehyde
- hepatitis B virus
- hepatitis C virus
- H. pylori infection
- Epstein-Barr virus
- alcoholic beverages
- certain types of HPV
- radiation, solar radiation
- arsenic in drinking water
- certain oral contraceptives
- menopausal hormone therapy
For a more complete and trustworthy list of carcinogens go to Known and Probable Human Carcinogens webpage @ cancer.org.
