Heavy metals can contribute to cancer through several mechanisms:
1. Genotoxicity: Some heavy metals can directly damage DNA, leading to mutations that can initiate cancer. For instance, cadmium and nickel can cause oxidative stress and DNA damage. 2. Epigenetic Alterations: Heavy metals can also cause changes in gene expression without altering the DNA sequence. Arsenic and cadmium are known to induce such epigenetic changes. 3. Disruption of Cellular Processes: Heavy metals can interfere with cellular processes like apoptosis (programmed cell death), allowing damaged cells to survive and proliferate. Chromium, for example, can hinder apoptosis. 4. Immune System Modulation: Some heavy metals can suppress the immune system, reducing the body's ability to detect and destroy cancer cells.
