Exposure to radiation and toxic chemicals that have the ability to cause direct cell damage and mutation of genes tops the list of such substances but the list is big and probably incomplete. We mention a few here :
Infections of Human papilloma virus (HPV) for uterine cervical cancer, Epstein-Barr virus for Burkitt lymphoma and Helicobacter pylori for gastric cancer, hepatitis B virus for liver cancer, AIDS virus for Kaposi’s sarcoma.
Tobacco for lung, mouth cavity and throat cancers, chemical dye for urinary bladder cancer, too much exposure to sun for skin cancer.
Betel leaf concoctions (Pan) for oral cancer.
Semi cooked and smoked preparations of meat, salted meat and fish, pickles, and pepper for mouth and esophageal and stomach cancer.
Alcohol for oral, esophageal, pancreas, and liver cancer. Red meat and fats for colon cancer.
Use of exogenous hormones for uterine, breast, and prostate cancers.
Rich food, less physical activity for breast, and colon cancers.
