67.5k views
16 votes
Our DNA is over 99% identical, but why would only 38% of us get cancer?

2 Answers

12 votes

Cancer occurs during mitosis as a result of a mutation in the genes. The thing is, not everyone's genes mutate the same way therefore not everyone will have cancer. Also, mutations are completely random and one mutation will not be enough to cause cancer. This is why although our DNA is identical, not everyone has cancer or has the same type of cancer.

User Dmitry Pleshkov
by
4.3k points
9 votes

our genes some genes are more prone to cancer then others

(I'm pretty sure)

User Jastram
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4.5k points