New
research suggests that only a third of cancer cases could be attributed
to environmental factors, such as drinking and smoking, and that most
types of cancer were found to be caused by random mutations. The study,
published in the journal Science, sought to explain why some
tissue types were more vulnerable to developing cancer compared to
others. Cells in the body constantly divide in order to replace old or
damaged tissue. Over time, a cell's DNA experiences random mutations
which passes on to the newly replicated cell. The result can eventually
lead to a mutation which makes the cell cancerous, simply by chance.
Tissue cells which constantly regenerate and have a high turnover rate,
such as cells in the intestine, were much more susceptible to these
random mutations.
However, lifestyle and environmental factors
still heavily influence the odds of developing a mutation that leads to
cancer. Smoking, alcohol consumption, and too much sun exposure are
sti…
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