A substance that is capable of causing cancer is called what?

A substance that is capable of causing cancer is called what?

• A. Mutagen
• B. Additive Effects
• C. Carcinogen
• D. Teratogen

Answer: (C)

Carcinogens are substances that increase the risk of cancer by damaging DNA or promoting abnormal cell growth. That specific definition makes it the best label for something capable of causing cancer. A mutagen also damages DNA, but it refers to mutations in genetic material in general, and not every mutation leads to cancer, so mutagen isn’t as precise for naming a cancer-causing substance. Teratogens cause birth defects, which is a different adverse outcome, and additive effects describe how the combined impact of multiple exposures adds up rather than identifying a cancer-causing agent.

Carcinogens are substances that increase the risk of cancer by damaging DNA or promoting abnormal cell growth. That specific definition makes it the best label for something capable of causing cancer. A mutagen also damages DNA, but it refers to mutations in genetic material in general, and not every mutation leads to cancer, so mutagen isn’t as precise for naming a cancer-causing substance. Teratogens cause birth defects, which is a different adverse outcome, and additive effects describe how the combined impact of multiple exposures adds up rather than identifying a cancer-causing agent.