Role of radiation in DNA damage and radiation induced cancer

Abstract

Radiation has been reported to be a proven carcinogen which is responsible for more than half of all malignancies. The incident rates, morbidity and mortality of these cancers are increasing and thus reflects a serious health concern in public. Ionizing and Non-ionizing radiation exposure both lead to the development of cancer. Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) which is a non-ionizing radiation damages the DNA and causes genetic mutations. Exposure to Ionizing radiation results in the various oxidizing events altering the structure of atoms through direct interactions of the radiation with the target molecules or via the product of radiolysis of water. In this chapter we have discussed about the role of radiation in DNA damage and related mechanisms associated with cancer.