The research, published in Molecular Biology and Evolution, provides new insights into molecular interactions which could help people become less prone to cancer.

Cells are routinely replicated, with new cells replacing the old ones, and each new cell contains new copies of the DNA. These new cells ought to be exact copies of the older cells, but mutations do occur if proteins erroneously replicate and transcribe DNA. Most errors are immediately repaired by the cell, although the number of mutations and quality of repairs are affected by both genetic and external/living circumstances. Toxic compounds, stress, poor living conditions and ageing can all increase the rate of mutation.

Read the full article here.