Last year, a controversial study suggested the majority of cancer cases are down to “bad luck” – that is, random DNA mutations in adult stem cells that are not caused by lifestyle factors. A new study contradicts this claim; while bad luck does play a role cancer development, researchers find it is unlikely to be the primary contributor.

Share on Pinterest Contrary to previous research, the new study suggests the majority of cancers are not down to random DNA mutations.

Cancer arises as a result of mutations in DNA that alter the way cells grow and divide. These mutations can cause cells to become out of control, whereby they grow and divide excessively, acquiring errors on the way that cause them to become cancerous.

Some DNA mutations can be inherited from our parents, while others can be acquired during our lifetime through lifestyle factors, such as smoking and sun exposure.

However, it is well established that some organs are more susceptible to cancer than others, and these variations cannot be fully accounted for by lifestyle factors.

In January 2015, a study published in the journal Science suggested that 22 of 31 cancer types – including ovarian, pancreatic, and bone cancers – were down to random “accidental” mutations that arise in normal adult stem cells as they divide.

The new research, however – led by Dr. Ruben van Boxtel of the Department of Genetics at University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands – suggests these “bad luck” mutations do not contribute to cancer development as much as last year’s report claims.