Final answer:
Promoters are non-mutagenic substances that stimulate cell proliferation, and can contribute to cancer development by increasing the likelihood of mutations or reducing a cell's ability to repair DNA before division. Carcinogens, which can be mutagenic, along with several mutations that activate oncogenes and deactivate tumor suppressor genes, are typically involved in the development of cancer.
Step-by-step explanation:
In relation to causes of cancer, promoters are non-mutagenic substances that stimulate cell proliferation.
Promoters are agents that stimulate cell division but don't necessarily cause mutations in DNA. They provide an environment that can contribute to the development of cancer by accelerating cell growth and proliferation, which can increase the likelihood of mutations or reduce the cell's ability to repair its DNA before passing the damage on when it divides. Hormones can sometimes act as promoters by creating conditions that spur excessive growth, leading to cancers such as endometrial cancer due to a hyperestrogenic state.
Carcinogens can also play a crucial role in the development of cancer, but unlike promoters, they can directly cause mutations in the DNA of cells. Carcinogenesis or oncogenesis is a multi-step process, often initiated by carcinogens which may be environmental triggers, such as tobacco smoke, radiation, and certain chemicals.
Cancer development typically requires several mutations that both activate oncogenes and deactivate tumor suppressor genes. Proto-oncogenes are normal genes that can become oncogenes when mutated, increasing the activity of cell-cycle regulators and potentially leading to uncontrolled cellular proliferation. Conversely, tumor suppressor genes function to regulate and inhibit cell growth and division, preventing cancer; when these are inactivated, it can lead to the unregulated cell growth characteristic of cancer.