New research shows bigger animals get more cancer, defying decades-old belief
Larger species are more prone to cancer due to their increased cell division rates and cumulative damage from environmental stressors. However, some species that have evolved to reach large sizes rapidly have developed mechanisms to mitigate this risk.These adaptations can include changes to DNA repair pathways, antioxidant defenses, or epigenetic regulation. For example, certain bacteria have evolved to repair damaged DNA more efficiently, while others have developed strategies to reduce oxidative stress. These findings highlight the complex interplay between evolutionary pressures and cancer development.Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing new cancer therapies and prevention strategies. While there are limitations to directly applying lessons from rapidly growing species to humans, studying these phenomena can provide valuable insights into the underlying biology of cancer.