Final answer:
Common mutational targets in cancer include oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes like p53, and genes controlling cell cycle and apoptosis. Mutations at different levels, from chromosomes to single nucleotides, can contribute to cancer development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The common mutational targets affecting cancer susceptibility include oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes such as p53, and genes that regulate the cell cycle and apoptosis. Mutations can lead to the unregulated cell proliferation and suppression of apoptosis characteristic of cancer cells. Studies have shown that mutational changes can occur at various levels, from gain or loss of entire chromosomes to a mutation affecting a single DNA nucleotide.