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What is a carcinogen?

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Answer:

A carcinogen is any substance, radionuclide or radiation that is an agent directly involved in the exacerbation of cancer or in the increase of its propagation. This may be due to the ability to damage the genome or to the disruption of cellular metabolic processes. ...
carcinogenic - causing or tending to cause cancer; "the carcinogenic action of certain chemicals"
Carcinogenesis (the creation of cancer), is the process by which normal cells are transformed into cancer cells.
any substance that produces cancer
carcinogenesis - The creation of cancer cells
A chemical or physical agent that encourages cells to develop cancer.
A cancer causing agent
A substance which is known to cause cancer. For example, UV-radiation is considered to be a carcinogen and increase the risk of skin cancer
A chemical or other substance that causes cancer; tobacco smoke has more than 40 known carcinogens.
Any substance that initiates or promotes the development of cancer. For example, asbestos is a proven carcinogen.
An agent known to cause cancer; a cancer-producing substance.
carcinogenic - a carcinogen is a chemical known or believed to cause cancer in mammals. Some chemicals are proven carcinogens, but many more are suspected to be carcinogenic.
carcinogenic - a substance that has the capability of causing cancer. Read more on hazardous substances.
carcinogenic - capable of causing cancer

It is important to stress that there are various classifications of carcinogens. Over half of the almost 1,000 listed are not believed to be carcinogenic to humans (a very useful propoganda source!). From the IARC website:

Group 1	Carcinogenic to humans	107 agents
Group 2A	Probably carcinogenic to humans	59
Group 2B	Possibly carcinogenic to humans	266
Group 3	Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans	508
Group 4	Probably not carcinogenic to humans	1

First answer by Tannerlg. Last edit by John the Chemist. Contributor trust: 9 [recommend contributor ]. Question popularity: 19 [recommend question].

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