Which statement about cancer is true?

Which statement about cancer is true?

• A. They can lead to some cancers
• B. They never cause cancer
• C. They always cause cancer
• D. They cause cancer in all tissues

Answer: (A)

Carcinogens are substances or factors that increase the risk of cancer by causing genetic changes or promoting abnormal cell growth. They can lead to the development of certain cancers, but exposure does not guarantee cancer and does not affect every tissue the same way. Cancer is often the result of multiple factors—genetic predisposition, environment, lifestyle, and infections—to varying degrees. For example, tobacco smoke is linked to lung cancer, ultraviolet radiation to skin cancer, and certain viruses to specific cancers. So the statement that they can lead to some cancers is true: carcinogens can raise the risk for particular cancers under certain conditions.

Carcinogens are substances or factors that increase the risk of cancer by causing genetic changes or promoting abnormal cell growth. They can lead to the development of certain cancers, but exposure does not guarantee cancer and does not affect every tissue the same way. Cancer is often the result of multiple factors—genetic predisposition, environment, lifestyle, and infections—to varying degrees. For example, tobacco smoke is linked to lung cancer, ultraviolet radiation to skin cancer, and certain viruses to specific cancers. So the statement that they can lead to some cancers is true: carcinogens can raise the risk for particular cancers under certain conditions.