Carcinogenicity
(noun)
The ability of a substance or agent to cause cancer or contribute to the development of cancer.
Origin:
Derived from the words "carcinogen" and "-icity", a suffix meaning "quality or state of being".
Examples:
- The carcinogenicity of tobacco smoke has been well established through numerous studies and decades of research.
- Carcinogenicity is a critical factor in the evaluation of the safety of chemicals and other substances.
- Carcinogenic substances can enter the body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact.
- The carcinogenicity of a substance is determined through animal studies and human exposure data.
- Regulatory agencies use the results of carcinogenicity studies to determine whether a substance should be restricted or banned for use.