Risk Assessment

The subject of cancer risk assessment (S. Brudnoy, The Scientist, March 8, 1993, page 14) is of continuing interest to academic scientists, but even more important to regulatory agencies. This topic is not as controversial scientifically as some may make it. All human carcinogens are genotoxic; that is, they can react under suitable conditions with DNA and genes, a fact leading to analytical detection. An exception as a nongenotoxic human carcinogen is high levels of the hormone diethylstilbest

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Another element that needs consideration, as described by Brudnoy, is the question of cell duplication rates. In any case, however, there are sound methods to evaluate human cancer risks. It is intriguing that there is so much intellectual discussion on cancer risks when the removal or modification of the documented known cancer risks--namely, tobacco use and nutritional excesses (especially in regard to fat intake)--that overall account for about 90 percent of the current cancer burden in the Western world, receives so little attention and readily implemented control measures.

JOHN H. WEISBURGER
Director Emeritus
American Health Foundation
Valhalla, N.Y.

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