# Is cancer only caused by radiation? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 16, 2005, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305 "2005-08-16T19:07:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shibumi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Shibumi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shibumi)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305/1 "2005-08-16T19:07:48Z")
ok, first off, i was going to search this board for threads related but i couldnt find the search button, so points off on me there, but anyway, here it is Cancer is caused by radiation and only radiation (no suprise there) People are getting more cancer because #1 people are living longer #2 we can diagnose it easier #3 its the frickin information age Most people get cancer from radiation directly from the sun Smoking and related things screw with the natural resistance of our cells to cancer any questions (yeah, im wrong somewhere, no way some 17 year old can figure out what causes cancer)? also, thanks for the input 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305/2 "2005-08-16T19:15:13Z")
> [@Shibumi](#): > > ok, first off, i was going to search this board for threads related but i couldnt find the search button, so points off on me there, but anyway, here it is > > Cancer is caused by radiation and only radiation (no suprise there) > > People are getting more cancer because #1 people are living longer #2 we can diagnose it easier #3 its the frickin information age > > Most people get cancer from radiation directly from the sun > > Smoking and related things screw with the natural resistance of our cells to cancer > > any questions (yeah, im wrong somewhere, no way some 17 year old can figure out what causes cancer)? also, thanks for the input 🙂 Why do you think cancer is caused by radiation and only radiation? Doesn’t asbestos cause cancer? What about PCB’s? Aren’t there many cancer causing chemicals? I also thought cancer was caused by errors introduced during cell division (this could be wrong). ---
**Author:** ![Shibumi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Shibumi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shibumi)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305/3 "2005-08-16T19:17:32Z")
asbestos goes into the smoking catagory, which should be renamed “Chemicals that screw with the resistance of your cells” ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305/4 "2005-08-16T19:29:21Z")
But the question still stands why do you think only radiation causes cancer? ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305/5 "2005-08-16T19:29:48Z")
> [@Shibumi](#): > > ok, first off, i was going to search this board for threads related but i couldnt find the search button, so points off on me there, but anyway, here it is > > Cancer is caused by radiation and only radiation (no suprise there) > > People are getting more cancer because #1 people are living longer #2 we can diagnose it easier #3 its the frickin information age > > Most people get cancer from radiation directly from the sun > > Smoking and related things screw with the natural resistance of our cells to cancer > > any questions (yeah, im wrong somewhere, no way some 17 year old can figure out what causes cancer)? also, thanks for the input 🙂 Welcome to the boards. 🙂 We have been studying cancer for decades. There is no evidence to state ‘it is only caused by radiation’, and I am surprised you do so. To be precise, people are **not** getting more cancer because of your reasons #2 + #3. It would just mean that earlier cases of cancer went undiagnosed. Yes, you can get skin cancer from over-exposure to the Sun. And from carciogenic chemicals. You need to give a cite to back up your claim that the majority of cases are from the Sun. ---
**Author:** ![Shibumi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Shibumi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shibumi)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305/6 "2005-08-16T19:32:42Z")
ok, back to some sherlock holmes logic “if you eliminate all but one, then that one must be right” so now i know that you are going to be able to do this easily, prove that anything other than radiation and the “Chemicals that screw with the resistance of your cells” cause cancer ---
**Author:** ![Shibumi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Shibumi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shibumi)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305/7 "2005-08-16T19:37:45Z")
> [@glee](#): > > Welcome to the boards. 🙂 Thank you 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305/8 "2005-08-16T19:41:04Z")
Your cells normally have controls so that they stop dividing when not needed. Cancer occurs when all of the several control mechanisms malfunction, and the cells begin to divide and take nutrients away from the healthy cells. The control factors are enzymes. Enzymes are proteins created by the DNA in the nucleus of your cells. Anything that damages your DNA can cause a chemical change in the DNA coding, resulting in a disabled enzyme. This chemical change can be caused by lots of different things…radiation, chemicals, random quantum fluctuations, etc. Exposure to a carcinogen doesn’t usually cause cancer right away because your cells won’t turn cancerous without several failures. But every exposure to carcinogens is potentially dangerous, because that exposure could have knocked out one of the cellular mechanisms that prevent cancer. Lose one mechanism and you’re fine. Lose the next and you’re still fine. Lose the next and you’re still fine. Lose the last in the chain and that cell line begins to divide uncontrollably and you’ve got cancer. Each exposure to a carcinogen has a chance of mutating the DNA in one or more of your cells, you probably have dozens or hundreds of pre-cancerous cells in your body that already have one or several mutations. Each exposure to carcinogens increases the risk that one or more of those cells will get another mutation that knocks out another protection. If you have lots and lots of precancerous cells the likelihood that some of them will mutate into cancerous cells is very high, even if you have no further exposure to carcinogens, since quantum fluctuations will cause a small number of replication errors even with absolutly no ionizing radiation. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305/9 "2005-08-16T19:51:57Z")
I always thought Cancers came from making babies in September/October. ---
**Author:** ![Shibumi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Shibumi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shibumi)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305/10 "2005-08-16T19:58:21Z")
Ha, you have solved the mystery of cancer, congrats 😉 ---
**Author:** ![davenportavenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305/11 "2005-08-16T20:28:09Z")
What you have created is an infalsifiable hypothesis. There is no way to prove that exposure to the sun (radiation) isn’t the cause of all cancer, since there has never been a study done on people who were never exposed to the sun at all. In fact, the number of people who have absolutely never, ever been exposed to the sun is almost nonexistent. Since the category of sun-exposed people overlaps almost completely with the entire human race, there are no control subjects (i.e. people who have never seen the sun) you can use to disprove the hypothesis, or at least, there wouldn’t be enough to make a viable case study. You might as well “prove” that having a brain gives you the flu or that moving gives people heart attacks. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305/12 "2005-08-16T20:32:00Z")
> [@Shibumi](#): > > prove that … No, you don’t understand. You are the one making the extraordinary claim that “only radiation causes cancer”, so the burdem is on you to provide some proof for this statement. Here’s a suggestion: somehow show some proof that the hundreds of chemicals listed on [the list of Known & Suspected Carcinogens from Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Laboratory at Oxford University](http://ptcl.chem.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/carcinogens.html) are all in some way radioactive. Can you? ---
**Author:** ![Shibumi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@Shibumi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shibumi)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305/13 "2005-08-16T22:05:49Z")
wow, your a ravanous bunch arent you. well, im not complaining, this is why i come here, to learn new ways of thinking. dont worry, i never thought for a second that my “theory” (if you can call it that much) would hold up, well, anyway, until my next poorly thought up question Adieu ---
**Author:** ![Ludy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Ludy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludy)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305/14 "2005-08-16T22:17:07Z")
> [@Shibumi](#): > > wow, your a ravanous bunch arent you. I thought that everyone was tame compared to some of the other feeding frenzies that happen here. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305/15 "2005-08-16T22:23:41Z")
> [@Shibumi](#): > > well, im not complaining, this is why i come here, to learn new ways of thinking. dont worry, i never thought for a second that my “theory” (if you can call it that much) would hold up, well, anyway, until my next poorly thought up question > > Adieu Please try to state you next poorly worded question as a question. I changed the title of this one rather than moving it. You can search for previous threads when you join the board as a member. Hope to see you in a month or less. **samclem** GQ moderator ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305/16 "2005-08-16T23:18:06Z")
Here’s a start, from [an earlier thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=45731): > [@](#): > > Originally posted by **a certain KarlGauss** > > “Cancer” is not a single disease, nor does it have a single cause. Off the top of my head, I can think of at least eight contributing and/or predisposing factors. IMHO, most are not “man-made”. > > 1. Age - as we age so do our cells, i.e. every time a cell divides its DNA gets a bit altered (lengthened). The more alterations that occur, the greater the chance of a mutation arising that can contribute to the cell becoming cancerous. Bottom line is that aging itself can lead to cancer. > > 2. Genetic Tendency - there are numerous examples of cancers arising on a familial or inherited basis. Examples include inherited genetic defects in DNA repair, tumour suppression, and immune response (see below). > > 3. Infections - again, there are many prototypes including Ebstein-Barr virus (mono), Herpes Simplex and Hepatitis B viruses. Less obvious than viral causes are parasitic causes. A prime example here is of schistosomiasis which is a major contributor to bladder cancer in North East Africa. > > 4. Immunologic Problems - people receiving drugs that modify their immune system develop cancer, as do people with inherited defects in immune function. > > 5. Increased Cell Turnover - so, for example, people with inflammation in the bowel, where there is constant turnover of the bowel lining cells are at risk of bowel cancer. Similarly, poorly fitting dentures that lead to repeated injury, and regeneration, of mouth cells promote the development of oral cancers. > > 6. Scarring - the repair process to injury can eventually lead to cancer developing at the site of injury, eg. people whose esophagus have been burned by lye (post suicide attempt), eg. cancers arising at site of scars in the lung. > > 7. Radiation - much of this is naturally occurring, eg. solar, uranium fission in earth’s crust > > 8. Chemical - even chemical carcinogens can arise naturally and are not just man-made, eg. certain molds on nuts, eg. traditional fermented drinks in Iran and Afghanistan > > So, while it is clearly true that some cancers arise because of man’s pollution etc., it is equally the case that many have nothing whatsoever to do with our undertakings. ---
**Author:** ![spingears](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@spingears](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spingears)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305/17 "2005-08-16T23:49:36Z")
> [@Shibumi](#): > > i couldnt find the search button The “Search " button is is in the 1/4” wide blue line at top of each page. The eighth from the left or third from the right. It is “Search^” except that the carat is actually a triangle pointed down. :rolleyes: > [@](#): > > Cancer is caused by radiation and only radiation (no suprise there) Where, in the name of common sense, did you find that “Factoid?” > [@](#): > > (yeah, im wrong somewhere, no way some 17 year old can figure out what causes cancer)? also, thanks for the input A little reading on the subject, on your part, would provide the basis for an intelligent post/query. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2005, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305/18 "2005-08-16T23:53:23Z")
> [@spingears](#): > > The “Search " button is is in the 1/4” wide blue line at top of each page. The eighth from the left or third from the right. It is “Search^” except that the carat is actually a triangle pointed down. :rolleyes: He or she is a guest, and guests do not have the ability to search. Likely, the button isn’t even shown to guests. ---
**Author:** ![Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/eada6e/32.png) [@Go\_You\_Big\_Red\_Fire\_Engine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Go_You_Big_Red_Fire_Engine)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2005, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305/19 "2005-08-17T07:54:01Z")
Ok, [this might help.](http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/AB/BA/Ras_Gene_and_Cancer.html) Oncogenes. No sun needed. ---
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2005, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305/20 "2005-08-17T10:14:07Z")
> [@spingears](#): > > The “Search " button is is in the 1/4” wide blue line at top of each page. The eighth from the left or third from the right. It is “Search^” except that the carat is actually a triangle pointed down. :rolleyes: Guests don’t have the search facility. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: > [@](#): > > A little reading on the subject, on your part, would provide the basis for an intelligent post/query. 🙂 I didn’t know there was a minimum level of knowledge requirement before you’re allowed to ask questions on a subject. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-cancer-only-caused-by-radiation/317305.md?page=2)