Cancer-causing substances – a dietary behavior that increases the risk of malignant tumor
Mia Hoffmann
2026-03-19
6 min. read
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A malignant tumor is an excessively growing tissue mass that continues its progression, even after the removal of its source. Each body tissue type can degenerate in various ways, leading to the formation of many distinct cancer types. The primary causes of cancer include: cancer-inducing genes, triggering factors from the cell's environment, and a weakened immune system. More than half of all cancer cases are caused by environmental factors, with inadequate nutrition being one of the main causes in approximately 30-40% of cases.
Carcinogenic agents: biological, chemical, and physical cancer-inducing hazards
Three distinct categories of carcinogenic agents—biological, chemical, and physical—are recognized as primary initiators of oncogenic processes. Acting either independently or in concert, these factors can induce or facilitate the accumulation of genetic mutations, thereby substantially elevating the long-term risk of malignant tumor development. Biological carcinogens encompass a spectrum of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and helminths, whose prolonged presence within the host organism may precipitate neoplastic transformation of tissues. For instance, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) compromises immune surveillance over time, thereby fostering susceptibility to vascular sarcomas and—particularly—cerebral lymphomas. Meanwhile, *Helicobacter pylori* infection is strongly correlated with gastric carcinoma incidence, whereas certain parasitic worms (e.g., *Schistosoma haematobium*) are implicated in the pathogenesis of bladder, rectal, and biliary tract cancers.
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