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Carcinogen: meaning, definitions and examples

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carcinogen

 

[ kahr-sin-uh-jen ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

health risk

A carcinogen is any substance, organism, or physical agent that is directly involved in causing cancer. These agents can be found in various forms such as chemicals, radiation, and even some viruses. Carcinogens are typically classified into groups based on their potential risk to humans, ranging from known to probable or possible carcinogens. Understanding carcinogens is crucial for public health and safety, as well as for research in cancer prevention.

Synonyms

cancer initiator, cancer promoter, cancer-causing agent

Examples of usage

  • Tobacco smoke is a well-known carcinogen.
  • Asbestos is classified as a carcinogen due to its link to lung cancer.
  • Certain chemicals used in industry are recognized as carcinogens.
  • The Environmental Protection Agency lists several carcinogens in drinking water.
  • Regular exposure to UV radiation is a significant carcinogen.

Translations

Translations of the word "carcinogen" in other languages:

🇵🇹 carcinógeno

🇮🇳 कर्करोगजनक

🇩🇪 Karzinogen

🇮🇩 karsinogen

🇺🇦 канцероген

🇵🇱 kancerogen

🇯🇵 発癌物質 (はつがんぶっしつ)

🇫🇷 cancérogène

🇪🇸 carcinógeno

🇹🇷 kanserojen

🇰🇷 발암물질 (발암물질)

🇸🇦 مادة مسرطنة

🇨🇿 karcinogen

🇸🇰 karcinogén

🇨🇳 致癌物质 (zhì'ái wùzhì)

🇸🇮 karcinogen

🇮🇸 krabbameinsvaldandi

🇰🇿 рактан ушырушы

🇬🇪 კარცინოგენი

🇦🇿 xərçəngogen

🇲🇽 carcinógeno

Etymology

The term 'carcinogen' has its roots in the Greek word 'karkinos,' which means 'crab,' a reference to the way cancer can spread like the legs of a crab. The prefix 'carci-' is derived from the word karkinos, signifying the connection to cancer. The suffix '-gen' comes from the Greek 'genes,' meaning 'born of' or 'producing.' Together, they form a term that literally means 'producing cancer.' The concept of carcinogens began to be seriously studied in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as scientists began to identify various substances that were linked to cancer development. Landmark studies associated exposure to specific chemicals and environmental factors with elevated cancer risks. Over time, multiple organizations have expanded the list of known carcinogens, significantly influencing public health policies and regulations aimed at reducing exposure to these dangerous agents.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,434, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.