PsychologyJuly 15, 2026
carcinogen
/kɑːrˈsɪnədʒən/
Definition
A substance or agent that is known to cause cancer in living tissue.
Etymology
Derived from the Greek 'karkinos' (crab, used to describe the shape of tumors) and the suffix '-gen' (producing). It entered English in the early 20th century to identify substances that trigger the development of malignant growths.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe arsenic, noting that rice plants naturally absorb this harmful substance due to their specific growing conditions. It serves as an example of an environmental hazard that necessitates smarter agricultural management.
Study uncovers another way that opioid use, withdrawal affect the brain
Read the full article ↗ASU News