Which substance is a cancer-causing agent?

Which substance is a cancer-causing agent?

• A. Carcinogen
• B. Mutagen
• C. Toxin
• D. Virus

Answer: (A)

Carcinogens are substances that raise the risk of developing cancer by damaging DNA or altering the cellular processes that control growth, which can lead to mutations and unregulated cell division. A mutagen is any agent that causes genetic mutations, and while many carcinogens are mutagens, mutagens describe DNA changes rather than cancer risk itself. A toxin is a poison that harms cells or tissues, but it isn’t defined by its potential to cause cancer. Some viruses can contribute to cancer by disrupting cell-cycle control, but the term that best captures a cancer-causing substance is carcinogen.

Carcinogens are substances that raise the risk of developing cancer by damaging DNA or altering the cellular processes that control growth, which can lead to mutations and unregulated cell division. A mutagen is any agent that causes genetic mutations, and while many carcinogens are mutagens, mutagens describe DNA changes rather than cancer risk itself. A toxin is a poison that harms cells or tissues, but it isn’t defined by its potential to cause cancer. Some viruses can contribute to cancer by disrupting cell-cycle control, but the term that best captures a cancer-causing substance is carcinogen.