Cancer's cause remains elusive
New research found cancer is mostly caused by “extrinsic” factors, such as environmental influences. But yet another study said cancer can be attributed to "Bad luck," or in more scientific terms, random mutations that lead to the disease by chance. Ref. Source 7x
Image from Wikimedia public domain.
What Causes Cancer? (Hover)
Most cancer mutations are due to random DNA copying 'mistakes'
Scientists report data from a new study providing evidence that random, unpredictable DNA copying 'mistakes' account for nearly two-thirds of the mutations that cause cancer. Their research is grounded on a novel mathematical model based on DNA sequencing and epidemiologic data from around the world. Ref. Source 6d.
KN,
Yeah, I understand what you are saying. I think it's a mixture of both internal and external factors. It may be that something we breath or do, like smoking cigarettes or swimming in a chemically polluted lake, could force a change in DNA that leads to cancer. I think it's also quite possible that an internal factor, a strand of DNA that just makes a mistake in our incredibly complex bodies, can cause cancer. In either case, if the body doesn't notice it and react incredibly quickly to kill it, it starts it's cycle of uncontrolled growth.
Common class of chemicals cause cancer by breaking down DNA repair mechanisms. A common class of chemicals found everywhere from car exhausts, smoke, building materials and furniture to cosmetics and shampoos could increase cancer risk because of their ability to break down the repair mechanisms that prevent faults in our genes, according to a new study. Source 3r.