India
A 52-year-old male asked:
how is cancer caused?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Uma Swamyanswered
Radiation Oncology 16 years experience
Depends: While we are aware of some well established causes of cancer, like cigarettes, there is much that remains a mystery.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Ed Friedlanderanswered
Pathology 44 years experience
Genetic mutations: All cancers result from the accumulation of genetic mutations. The genes have a natural tendency to mutate, making life as we know it possible, and there's background radiation and chemicals that are part of nature and inescapable. Specific cancers have various hereditary (inherit a bad gene) and environmental (mutagen) causes; anything can promote by making mutated cells divide.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Similar questions
A 48-year-old member asked:
Does neoprene cause cancer?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Paul Darbyanswered
Occupational Medicine 28 years experience
Not likely.: Neoprene is the trade name of polychloroprene, a rubber-like polymer made by chemically treating chloroprene (2-chloro-1, 3-butadiene) so that each molecule hooks up to another in long chains. Chloroprene is considered possibly carcinogenic to humans, but virtually all the chloroprene is used up in the conversion to the polymer. The amount left behind is probably too miniscule to pose any risk.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:
Can cancer cause seizures?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Raymundo Romeroanswered
Medical Oncology 22 years experience
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
What causes tonsil cancer?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Sanford Archeranswered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 38 years experience
Oral tobacco use: The majority of tonsillar cancers are related to the use of tobacco products, including chewing tobacco. Heavy alcohol use increases the risk in tobacco users. Another form of tonsillar cancer is lymphoma and there are no know preexisting conditions that cause that type of tumor.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Does nailpolish cause cancer?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Chad Levittanswered
Radiation Oncology 22 years experience
No: When used on nails or skin it has no known risk. If ingested on a regular basis it could feasibly cause many sorts of problems, but this is not studied obviously.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Can earrings cause cancer?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Ed Friedlanderanswered
Pathology 44 years experience
You decide: Don't get your ears pierced until you're very sure it's what you want and know you're not a keloid former. The fact that many people get keloids from this gave rise to the myth that it "causes cancer" -- keloids aren't cancer but are troublesome.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Jan 19, 2014
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
$30 per visit with
membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.