Scientists at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the US found that the majority of cancers are not linked to environment or lifestyle
The majority of cancers are the result of bad luck rather than unhealthy lifestyles or inherited genetic faults, scientists have discovered.
For years health experts have warned that tumours are driven by a bad diet, lack of exercise, or gene errors passed down from parents. The government even set up its ‘100,000 Genomes Project’ to try and find the genetic causes of many rare diseases and cancers.
But now a study has shown that most cancers are primarily caused by bad luck rather than poor lifestyle choices or defective DNA.
Researchers found that two thirds of cancers are driven by random mistakes in cell division which are completely outside of our control. They found that the more cells need to divide to stay healthy, the more likely cancer is to develop.
It is the first time that scientists have been able to explain why some cancers are more common than others.
Considering there's not a single person on the planet who hasn't personally been affected or known someone affected by cancer, I guess we're all up **** creek without a paddle
Haven't cancer rates generally been increasing over the past century, and aren't they predicted to increase? If so, how would the study explain this? An increase in bad luck?
Haven't cancer rates generally been increasing over the past century, and aren't they predicted to increase? If so, how would the study explain this? An increase in bad luck?
They indicate that 2/3's of all cancers don't have environmental or genetic links.
Which means that 1/3 of cancers do have a link. They could be driving increasing rates of diagnosis.
Smoking still really increases the chances of getting cancer though, especially lung cancer. But I don't see how lack of exercise or healthy food could cause cancer
still it's better to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
