Ionising radiation, such as gamma rays, x-rays, and radioactive particles, can have a devastating effect on DNA and can lead to cancer. When radiation showers bombard the genome, they cause a lot of damage at once, which can overwhelm the cell's DNA repair mechanism. This damage to the DNA is the primary mechanism associated with the tumorigenicity of ionising radiation. Not only does ionising radiation damage DNA, but it also causes significant aberrations in the cellular epigenome.
These aberrations include alterations in DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin accessibility. It is not yet known exactly how many tumors are caused by radiation damage, but it is clear that it can have a serious impact on our health. It is important to be aware of the risks associated with ionising radiation and to take steps to reduce our exposure where possible.
