A new study from Yale University has helped us better understand how cancer starts and what role our daily habits play in it. Cancer happens when DNA inside our cells gets damaged or changed.
These changes are called mutations. Sometimes these mutations happen naturally, but in other cases, they are caused by things in our environment or the choices we make in our lives.
The researchers looked at DNA mutations in 24 types of cancer. They tried to figure out how many of these mutations were caused by things we can control, like smoking or too much sun exposure. By studying the patterns in the DNA, they could see which types of cancer were more likely caused by preventable things and which ones were not.
This is important because it shows us where we can take action. For example, skin cancer is often caused by too much ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or tanning beds.
That means using sunscreen and staying in the shade can help prevent it. Lung cancer is another clear example. It is strongly linked to smoking. If people quit smoking or never start, they lower their risk of lung cancer.
The new study took earlier research a step further by estimating how much each factor—like sunlight or cigarettes—adds to the risk of certain cancers. For instance, they found that many cases of skin cancer and bladder cancer were caused by things that could have been avoided. This shows that people can reduce their risk by changing their behavior.
However, not all cancers are this simple. Some cancers, like prostate cancer and a type of brain cancer called glioma, are more often caused by things that happen naturally as we age. These kinds of cancers seem to be less affected by lifestyle or environment.
This research can help not only individuals but also communities. Some jobs or groups of people may be exposed more often to harmful substances that cause cancer. Knowing which exposures are most dangerous could help protect people at work or in certain environments.
The study also has limits. It didn’t look at every possible change in the DNA. For example, some complex changes, like having extra copies of whole genes or chromosomes, weren’t fully studied. More research is needed to understand how these complex changes affect cancer.
The study was led by Jeffrey Townsend and published in the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution. It shows that many cancers could be prevented with simple actions, like avoiding cigarettes and protecting our skin from too much sun. It also reminds us that some cancers are harder to avoid, which means we need regular health checks and strong medical support too.
It’s also worth noting that other studies suggest that a low-carb diet might raise cancer risk, while taking vitamin D supplements may help lower the number of cancer-related deaths. As science learns more, we can make smarter choices to stay healthy and lower our cancer risk.
This research gives us hope and guidance. It shows that we do have some control over our health, and even small changes in our daily habits can make a big difference.
If you care about cancer, please read studies about how to fight cancer with these anti-cancer superfoods, and a berry that can prevent cancer, diabetes and obesity.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how to harness the power of anti-cancer foods and supplements, and cancer-fighting foods and recipes.
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