Environmental causes of human cancers.
Epidemiological studies have clearly shown a causal association between tobacco exposure and various human cancers, hepatitis B and C infection and hepatocellular carcinoma, human papilloma viruses and cervical cancer, and the occupational origin of certain human cancers is well established. The identification of the environmental causes of human cancers has been a long and difficult process. Much remains to be understood about the role of specific components of the diet and the interaction of different risk factors in the aetiology of human cancers. Withstanding the progress made on the understanding of the cancer process and their potential impact in the therapy of cancer, primary prevention remains, in developed and developing countries, the most effective measure to reduce cancer mortality.
Montesano
R
R
International Agency for Research on Cancer, 150 cours Albert Thomas, 69372 Lyon Cedex 08, France. montesano@iarc.fr
Hall
J
J
D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D004777:Environment; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications