India, July 29 -- Scientists have uncovered the first direct evidence showing that a person's inherited genes play a powerful role in determining cancer risk by influencing how tumors develop and evolve alongside acquired genetic mutations.

The findings, published in the journal Nature, help explain why some people develop cancer while others exposed to the same environmental risk factors do not. The research also suggests that future cancer screening, prevention, and treatment strategies may need to place greater emphasis on inherited genetics and population diversity, according to the University of Cambridge.

Conducted in mice by an international team led by researchers from the University of Cambridge, the University of Edinburgh, an...