title: Quantitative aspects of the causes of the main human cancers in the light of initiating and promoting mechanisms.
abstract: The early work in the field of chemical carcinogenesis accomplished by Dr. Boyland has provided us with key concepts that can be applied today in the prevention of many kinds of human cancer. Broad understanding of the complex processes of cancer causation was achieved in the last 50 years. Thus, research on the action of chemical carcinogens through their reactive metabolites, the detection of such agents through rapid in vitro bioassays by the product of their interaction with DNA, and the consequences related thereto, has been applied to the qualitative and quantitative implications of such an interaction in relation to the etiology of human cancers. Beginning knowledge of the mechanisms of tumor promotion provides further means of controlling neoplastic processes because of the distinct qualitative and quantitative properties of promoters. The promotion phenomenon contributes extensively to the development of human cancer of the lung and nutritionally-linked cancers such as those in the colon, breast, or prostate. Their quantitative effects may be easier to limit than those due to genotoxic carcinogens, which would help substantially to lower the incidence of these important cancers.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D001711:Biotransformation; D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D014026:Nicotiana
chemical_list: D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental; D004041:Dietary Fats