Pesticides and Cancer

Pesticides are widely used in agriculture to control weeds, insects, fungi, rodents, and other pests, but their use can have negative effects on both the environment and human health. This article discusses the various ways in which individuals can be exposed to pesticides and the potential health effects of such exposure. Growing evidence suggests that exposure to pesticides can increase the risk of developing cancer, with any class of pesticides being a risk factor. Specific chemicals in many classes of pesticides have been linked to various types of cancer. This article discusses the link between pesticide exposure and various types of cancer, including lung, breast, genitourinary, leukemia, brain, and myeloma. Efforts should be made to limit exposure to reduce cancer incidence, particularly with regard to certain pesticides such as organochlorines, triazines, organophosphates, chlorophenoxy, pyrethroids, and carbamates. While some pesticides are not considered carcinogenic due to a lack of evidence, in vitro and in vivo studies have shown characteristics of carcinogens for some pesticides. Further studies are required to evaluate the carcinogenicity of pesticides and reduce disparities in cancer risks.