Cancer Lawyer

Serving Beaumont, Orange, Port Arthur, and Surrounding Areas Of Texas

What Causes Cancer

Carcinogenic Attack on Cell DNA
Cancer is caused by abnormalities in a cell’s DNA (or genetic “blueprint”).  Sometimes these DNA abnormalities are inherited from parents.  DNA abnormalities in cells are often caused by outside exposures to the body from chemicals, radiation, or some infectious agents.  Substances that cause DNA abnormalities in cells from such exposures are called carcinogens.  Not all carcinogens cause cancer by causing this direct change in cell DNA but rather by other ways such as causing cells to divide at an unnaturally fast rate that can increase the chances of DNA change that leads to cancer. 

Exposure to carcinogens does not always cause cancer to develop.  Different carcinogens have different levels of cancer-causing potential.  Some may cause cancer only after prolonged and high levels of exposure.  And, the risk of any one individual developing cancer depends on many factors, including length and intensity of exposure and genetic makeup.

Exposure vs. Latency
Cancer researchers are careful to distinguish between exposure and latency when discussing cancer and carcinogens.  Latency means the length of time after sufficient exposure to a carcinogen before cancer develops.  There is generally no widely accepted period of latency.  This is because the length of time from carcinogenic exposure to development of cancer is variable, depending on the carcinogen, the type of  cancer, age at exposure, the intensity of exposure, and the particular individual.  Cumulative exposure is the term used to describe all the exposure an individual has to a specific carcinogen, including chronic (regular and often exposures), intermittent (occasional but not rare), acute (sudden), low level (not high dose), and high level (high dose).  Often cumulative exposures include both chronic and acute and both low and high level exposures.  There is often confusion about the difference between initial exposure and sufficient exposure to a carcinogen.  The initial exposure is simply the first time an individual was exposed while sufficient exposure is when the cumulative exposure is sufficient to cause the cancer in a particular person.    Individual age and the type of cancer are also important factors.  Both birth defects and childhood cancers are known to be caused by in utero (in the womb during pregnancy) exposure to carcinogens by the pregnant mother.  Other childhood cancers are known to develop very quickly after childhood exposure to carcinogens.  By contrast, many types of adult cancers (including mesothelioma and certain types of leukemia and lung cancer) sometimes develop as long as 20, 30 or 40 years after critical exposure to carcinogens.  In other words, the latency period for these cancers is known to be widely variable but in general fairly long.

If you have more questions about cancer, contact our Texas Cancer Lawyers at Bush Lewis PLLC for a free injury consultation. We serve clients in Beaumont, Orange, Port Arthur and surrounding areas of Texas.