Why most cancer isn’t attributable to simple ‘bad luck’ | Sarah Allinson

Recent research suggested that most cancers arise for intrinsic reasons that cannot be prevented. But a newer study suggests external factors play a vital role

A study published in Science in early 2015 reported that most cancers aren't preventable and are simply a case of "bad luck". A year on, however, and a study published in Nature has come to the opposite conclusion: that external factors such as tobacco, sunlight and human papilloma virus play a greater part in whether or not a person gets cancer.

So what does cause cancer: bad luck or avoidable lifestyle choices and environmental factors?