Cancer Is a Disease Caused by Mutations

Multiple Choice

Cancer is a disease caused by mutations. Yet in most instances if one of your parents tragically died from cancer, this does not put you at greater risk than a person whose parents do not develop cancer. How can cancer be caused by mutations and yet not be heritable?

A) Mutations caused by environmental agents such a tobacco smoke cannot be inherited.
B) The mutations that cause cancer are special and cannot be passed on regardless of what type of cell they occur in.
C) Most cancers arise from mutations in germ line cells.
D) Most cancers arise from mutations in somatic cells.
E) Cancer-causing mutations are repaired in offspring but not in parents.