Final answer:
DNA damage is still possible in cancer cells, but less likely to be repaired due to the presence of faulty p53 proteins.
Step-by-step explanation:
In cancer cells, there is still a possibility for DNA damage, but it is much less likely than in normal cells. DNA damage can occur due to environmental factors and normal metabolic processes inside the cell. It happens at a rate of 1,000 to 1,000,000 molecular lesions per cell per day. While this constitutes a small percentage of the human genome, unrepaired lesions in critical genes can impede a cell's function and increase the likelihood of tumor formation. In cancer cells, one of the main factors contributing to DNA damage is the presence of mutated p53 genes. The p53 protein plays a crucial role in detecting errors in the genomic DNA and activating genes involved in DNA repair or cell death (apoptosis). However, the damaged version of p53 found in cancer cells is unable to trigger apoptosis, leading to uncorrected DNA damage. Therefore, while the possibility of DNA damage still exists in cancer cells, it is less likely to be repaired due to the presence of faulty p53 proteins.