Why Some People Get Cancer and Others Don't

Topic: Health

Scientists have found a link between inherited genetics and cancer risk. They studied mice to see how genetic background affects tumor development.

For a long time, scientists suspected that our genes play a role in whether we get cancer or not. But they couldn't prove it with human studies because people's lifestyles, environments, and exposure histories are so different.

A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge, the University of Edinburgh, and other institutions across Europe and the US decided to study mice instead. They bred four strains of mice that represented a range of genetic diversity similar to what we see in humans. Each mouse received a dose of a liver carcinogen called diethylnitrosamine (DEN), which damages DNA and can cause cancer.

The researchers then sequenced the genomes of nearly 600 tumors and studied how they developed over time. They found that even though all the mice had the same DNA damage, their genetic background affected how their tumors evolved. Some tumors grew quickly, while others took longer to develop.

Why It Matters

This research could help doctors understand why some people get cancer and others don't. It may also lead to new ways of preventing and treating cancer, tailored to each person's unique genetic background.

Key Facts

• Scientists studied four strains of mice with different levels of susceptibility to liver cancer.
• The mice received the same dose of a liver carcinogen at the same age, under controlled conditions.
• The researchers sequenced the genomes of nearly 600 tumors and found that genetic background affects tumor development.
• This study may lead to new ways of preventing and treating cancer, tailored to each person's unique genetic background.
• The research was published in the journal Nature on July 22, 2026.

Key Terms

DNA damage

Changes in the DNA sequence that can cause cells to multiply too quickly and ignore signals to die.

Genetic background

The unique set of genes a person is born with, which can affect their risk of getting certain diseases.

Implications

This research could help doctors understand why some people get cancer and others don't. It may also lead to new ways of preventing and treating cancer, tailored to each person's unique genetic background.