The Y chromosome primarily carries genes that provide instructions for male sex differentiation and fertility. But it also carries some known to suppress tumor growth - a protective ability that is lost if those genes are damaged or destroyed.
Actor James Van Der Beek died on 11 February, aged 48; he had been diagnosed in 2023 with colorectal cancer. According to the World Health Organization, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. While rates are declining overall, cases among younger people are rising. This is a curable cancer if diagnosed early, says Dr Deirdre Cohen, director of the gastrointestinal oncology program for the Mount Sinai health system and an associate professor of medicine. It's important to bring any symptoms to the attention of your physician.