Two-thirds of cancers may have a surprising cause that we can do nothing about

New study makes a surprising claim about cancer cause.

If you are afraid of cancer, we have bad news. There may be little way to avoid the dreaded disease. A new study affirms that two-thirds of cancer cases are caused by random mutations in cells, and there is nothing that can prevent these from happening.

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) -- We all know that certain behaviors increase our risk of cancer, such as smoking. We also know some cancers can be the result of genetic problems, passed on from previous generations.

We have taken steps to educate and prevent these cancers. Smokers are asked to stop smoking, people avoid exposure to carcinogens, and in some cases people can elect for elective procedures and aggressive screening. But there is a third cause, which is probably the most likely cause of most cancers, and it is random error.

Most cells copy themselves, growing and dividing into two. As this happens, the DNA inside them copies itself. Occasionally, while copying itself a mistake can occur in the DNA. Think of a person copying a document by hand and making a small spelling error in the process.

In most cases, these errors are detected by the body and the cell either dies on its own, or it is attacked by the immune system. In some cases, the cells survive despite their defects. They begin reproducing out of control, crowding out healthy cells and spreading throughout the body. Eventually they cause healthy organs to fail and the patient dies.

The new research finds that as many as two-thirds of cancers are caused by random mutations in DNA, and not environmental or genetic factors.

Some kinds of cancer, like lung cancer are caused by environmental factors. Only about a third of lung cancers were caused by random factors. But others such as prostate and brain cancers are caused by random mutations. About 95 percent of cases these cancers are caused by random mutations.

The research still requires more peer review, but it likely to change the way we approach cancer prevention and education.

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