Reference Terms
from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Carcinogen
In pathology, a carcinogen is any substance or agent that promotes cancer. Carcinogens are also often, but not necessarily, mutagens or teratogens.
Carcinogens may cause cancer by altering cellular metabolism or damaging DNA directly in cells, which interferes with normal biological processes. Aflatoxin B1, which is produced by the fungus Aspergillus flavus growing on stored grains, nuts and peanut butter, is an example of a potent, naturally-occurring microbial carcinogen.
Cooking protein-rich food at high temperatures, such as broiling or barbecuing meats, can lead to the formation of many potent carcinogens that are comparable to those found in cigarrette smoke (i.e., benzo[a]pyrene).Pre-cooking meats in a microwave oven for 2-3 minutes before broiling can help minimize the formation of these carcinogens.
Related Stories
1
2
Health & Medicine News
November 4, 2026
Nov. 4, 2026 Scientists have discovered a compound that transforms a natural muscle-repair protein into a more powerful version dubbed "Super HGF," more than doubling its ability to bind to a key receptor while protecting it from age-related chemical damage. The ...
Nov. 4, 2026 A new study warns that permanent daylight saving time could force American children to make at least 2 billion additional school commutes in darkness, potentially increasing safety risks and disrupting their biological clocks. Researchers found that ...
Nov. 4, 2026 Stanford researchers have discovered an AI-identified natural molecule that dramatically suppresses appetite and promotes fat loss in animals, potentially offering an Ozempic-like weight-loss ...
Nov. 3, 2026 A single gene-editing treatment could someday protect against heart disease, high cholesterol, and other common conditions for decades, potentially replacing lifelong medications. But scientists warn that permanently altering genes introduces risks ...
Nov. 3, 2026 Scientists have developed a promising new cancer-fighting strategy that uses carbon monoxide naturally produced by tumor cells to manufacture powerful drugs inside the cancer cells themselves. Early laboratory experiments suggest the technique could ...
Nov. 3, 2026 A new study suggests that ultra-processed foods may influence children's developing brains in ways that encourage weight gain. Researchers from USC studied 46 children ages 7 to 10 and found that those who ate more ultra-processed foods showed ...
Nov. 3, 2026 Scientists have uncovered an unexpected connection between inflammation during pregnancy, placental damage, and autism-like traits in male mice, while females appeared naturally protected. The ...
Nov. 3, 2026 Eating an avocado and a cup of mango every day may provide surprising benefits for heart health, according to a new study involving adults with prediabetes. After just eight weeks, participants ...
Nov. 2, 2026 Scientists have discovered that a drug originally developed for spinal cord injuries can tackle several key features of Alzheimer’s disease, including DNA damage and inflammation. Already tested ...
Nov. 2, 2026 A surprising discovery suggests that rejuvenating the liver could help protect against Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease. USC researchers found that an experimental drug restored aging liver ...
Nov. 2, 2026 A major 24-year study involving more than 8,200 adults suggests that excess body weight may accelerate brain aging, leading to faster declines in memory, concentration, and decision-making skills. The connection was particularly strong among people ...
Nov. 2, 2026 Scientists are calling for a major rethink of how we manage high blood pressure, suggesting that eating more potassium could be just as important as cutting back on salt. A new report finds that combining increased potassium intake with reduced ...
Latest Headlines
updated 12:56 pm ET
Nov. 2, 2026 Researchers have developed a remarkable new electronic implant that could transform type 2 diabetes treatment by lowering blood sugar without insulin ...
Nov. 2, 2026 In a surprising discovery, scientists found that certain diets associated with obesity can make cancer immunotherapy more effective in mice, ...
Nov. 1, 2026 A major new study challenges the idea that moderate drinking is safe, finding that even relatively small amounts of alcohol increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, and premature death. ...
Nov. 1, 2026 A major new review challenges the growing enthusiasm for medical cannabis as an insomnia treatment, finding little reliable evidence that it improves ...
Nov. 1, 2026 A surprising new study suggests that eating peanuts every day could help support brain health and memory in older adults. Researchers found that consuming about two servings of unsalted, skin-roasted ...
Nov. 1, 2026 A UCLA study found that long-term exposure to a common pesticide was linked to more than 2.5 times the risk of Parkinson's disease. Scientists also uncovered how the chemical damages brain cells and ...
Nov. 1, 2026 A massive study of nearly 486,000 adults found that regularly drinking tea was associated with an 11% lower risk of heart and blood vessel diseases. The lowest risk was linked to drinking roughly six ...
Nov. 1, 2026 Scientists at the University of Virginia have developed a promising new strategy to fight glioblastoma, one of the deadliest and most difficult-to-treat forms of brain cancer. Their experimental ...
Oct. 31, 2026 Scientists have uncovered a hidden mechanism that allows high-cholesterol diets to undermine the body's natural cholesterol defenses, and blocking it ...
Oct. 31, 2026 Scientists at Johns Hopkins have uncovered a crucial missing link between a common gut bacterium and colorectal cancer, solving a mystery that has ...