DonLever Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 From Bloomberg News: Cancer in most cases may be the result of biological bad luck rather than caused by genes or behavior, with the random division of stem cells making people more vulnerable to mutations, a new study shows. A formula that plotted the number of stem-cell divisions over a lifetime against the risk of cancer showed a correlation and explained two-thirds of cases, according to a research paper published this week in the journal Science. The study, conducted by mathematician Cristian Tomasetti and geneticist Bert Vogelstein of Johns Hopkins University, is based on previously published cancer statistics. The research may bolster arguments that cancer often can’t be prevented, with risky behavior such as smoking and excessive exposure to the sun being less of a cause than chance. That would support focusing more resources on diagnosing the disease in early stages and on treatments to reduce mortality rates. The researchers cautioned that the study isn’t a license to engage in unhealthy behavior. “Cancer-free longevity in people exposed to cancer-causing agents, such as tobacco, is often attributed to their ’good genes,’ but the truth is that most of them simply had good luck,” Vogelstein said in a statement. Tissue types that have more stem-cell divisions are more prone to mutations that can lead to cancers, with data demonstrating a statistical correlation between the two, Vogelstein and Tomasetti said in their paper. They suggest that only one-third of the variation in cancer risk may be due to environmental factors or inherited predispositions. Stem Cells The researchers focused on stem cells because they live longer, with divisions of the self-renewing cells maintaining the tissue’s stability while also having the capacity to initiate a tumor. Random mutations -- or bad luck -- occurring during the replication of noncancerous stem cells, which typically account for a small number of the total cells in tissue, can lead to the disease. The lifetime risk of being diagnosed with lung cancer is 6.9 percent, while that of thyroid is 1.08 percent and brain cancer is 0.6 percent, according to published statistics. Acknowledged risk factors that explain some of the incidence include smoking, alcohol consumption, ultra-violet light and human papilloma virus, as well as genetic variations. To explain the remaining cancer risk, the researchers from Baltimore, Mayland-based Johns Hopkins focused on 31 tissue types. The positive correlation between the number of stem-cell divisions and lifetime risk of the disease was seen among different types of cancers with varying levels of incidence. Some cancers, including breast and prostate, weren’t included in the report because reliable stem-cell division rates haven’t been determined, according to the study. To contact the reporter on this story: Chitra Somayaji in London at csomayaji@bloomberg.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonLever Posted January 4, 2015 Author Share Posted January 4, 2015 Whenever this type of study comes up , I always think of people I knew who died of cancer very young. My sister's friend died of a rare kidney cancer when he only 42. He was in perfect health, a non-smoker, a non-drinker, very physically fit. In fact he was a PE teacher. My cousin was in perfect health and he died when he was 45 years old of a rare cancer. So I believe some cancers are due to being unlucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c00kies Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 Whenever this type of study comes up , I always think of people I knew who died of cancer very young. My sister's friend died of a rare kidney cancer when he only 42. He was in perfect health, a non-smoker, a non-drinker, very physically fit. In fact he was a PE teacher. My cousin was in perfect health and he died when he was 45 years old of a rare cancer. So I believe some cancers are due to being unlucky. This is very true. Different cancers have different components to them, some with a larger biological component, others with an increased behavioral influence. Increased smoking, unprotected sex, and exposure to the sun (depending on race) will increase your chances at experiencing bad luck...but obviously the genetic predisposition makes a huge difference too. In fact, your genetic predisposition could make you more prone to behaviors that make you more prone to bad luck; ex: having a thrill-seeking personality will make you more prone to having lots of (unprotected) sex, which increases your chances of getting an STI, which increases your chances of getting a cancer or complication related to that STI. AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!...I've gone on a tangent, sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanucksFan2323 Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 This is very true. Different cancers have different components to them, some with a larger biological component, others with an increased behavioral influence. Increased smoking, unprotected sex, and exposure to the sun (depending on race) will increase your chances at experiencing bad luck...but obviously the genetic predisposition makes a huge difference too. In fact, your genetic predisposition could make you more prone to behaviors that make you more prone to bad luck; ex: having a thrill-seeking personality will make you more prone to having lots of (unprotected) sex, which increases your chances of getting an STI, which increases your chances of getting a cancer or complication related to that STI. AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!...I've gone on a tangent, sorry. Is masturbating considered unprotected sex? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheXFactor Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 Isn't this kind of... old news? My health sciences teacher way back in high school was already telling me that genetics was the biggest factor in contracting cancer. I would recommend people check their family tree if they have a history of cancer (among other illnesses) if they're particularly worried about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
William_Clarkson Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 This isn't any new info. Obviously, "bad behaviour" doesn't help, but it's not as bad as everyone else makes it out to be. Is masturbating considered unprotected sex? No, proceed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanucksFan2323 Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 This isn't any new info. Obviously, "bad behaviour" doesn't help, but it's not as bad as everyone else makes it out to be. No, proceed. kk thanks I got scared for a sec Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DefCon1 Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 Isn't this kind of... old news? My health sciences teacher way back in high school was already telling me that genetics was the biggest factor in contracting cancer. I would recommend people check their family tree if they have a history of cancer (among other illnesses) if they're particularly worried about it. Well, my grandfather from my dad's side and from my mom side are all hitting their 80s with no cancer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonLever Posted January 4, 2015 Author Share Posted January 4, 2015 Isn't this kind of... old news? My health sciences teacher way back in high school was already telling me that genetics was the biggest factor in contracting cancer. I would recommend people check their family tree if they have a history of cancer (among other illnesses) if they're particularly worried about it. Have you read the study? The study is the reverse of what you are saying. 2/3 of cancers are NOT environmental or genetic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FramingDragon Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 This is a poorly worded article that fails to differentiate between inherited mutations and random mutations from stem cell divisions. Both happen to genes, thus they would both be genetic factors. Regardless, there's a saying that goes "genetics load the gun, environment pulls the trigger". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brick Tamland Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 Aren't we riddled with cancer cells already and something let's them off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-DLC- Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 This is a poorly worded article that fails to differentiate between inherited mutations and random mutations from stem cell divisions. Both happen to genes, thus they would both be genetic factors. Regardless, there's a saying that goes "genetics load the gun, environment pulls the trigger". Well said (welcome back). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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