New findings about the causes of cancer.

Recently, American scientists have gained a new perspective on the causes of common cancers, adding that errors in the replication of genetic code (DNA) can also be a contributing factor.

For a long time, people believed that cancer was caused by genetics or an unhealthy lifestyle. However, a recent study by American scientists has revealed a new perspective: even people with healthy lifestyles can develop cancer due to errors in the replication of their genetic code (DNA).

Cancer patients (Illustrative image).

According to newly published research from the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, two-thirds of cases of aggressive cancers are due to errors in the process of gene (DNA) encoding during cell division.

To reach this conclusion, scientists studied the mutations that cause abnormal cell growth in 32 different types of cancer. Using algorithms, the scientists studied and collected the sequences of gene copies. The results showed that two or more mutated genes (those that are incorrectly copied) are necessary to lead to cancer.

In the case of malignant cancers such as brain cancer, bone cancer, and prostate cancer, 95% of cases are caused by errors in the replication of certain crucial DNA genes. Scientists explain that nothing can prevent random errors in genetic coding as cells divide and replicate. These replication errors are sometimes harmless, but if they occur in crucial genetic codes, these variations can potentially lead to cancerous mutations.

Dr. Critina Tomasetti, co-lead researcher, stated that up to 66% of cancer mutations are due to replication errors, 29% are due to lifestyle factors, and only 5% are due to inherited faulty genes: "It's a matter of luck in the process of analyzing each person's genetic code."

We all know that we still need to avoid environmental risk factors for cancer, such as smoking. However, not everyone knows that each time a cell divides into two new cells, many mistakes can occur. It's like typing. You can reduce typing errors if you concentrate or if your keyboard doesn't have any missing keys. But that doesn't mean errors don't happen because no one can type perfectly.

The research team stated that their work aims to find answers to millions of cancer cases, even among patients with healthy lifestyles or who adhere to all cancer prevention measures recommended by scientists. Additionally, the team hopes to raise awareness of cancer-causing mutations in order to develop methods for early detection of this deadly disease.

However, scientists at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Institute advise that even if research indicates cancer is a random mutation or a matter of chance, we should always take preventive measures, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and especially "listen to our bodies" and have regular check-ups. Early diagnosis of cancer significantly increases the chances of a cure. In fact, for some types of cancer, the chance of successful treatment can reach 98% if detected early.

According to VOV