Flying into space can increase the risk of cancer.
American scientists from the Icon Medical School on Mount Sinai analyzed the blood of 14 NASA astronauts. The samples showed signs of somatic DNA mutations. Because of them, the risk of developing cancer and heart disease may increase.
On average, astronauts stayed in space for 12 days. They flew shuttles in 1998-2001. Before the start and on the day of landing, doctors took blood from them. All this time, the samples were stored at -80 °C.
Most of the mutations occurred in the TP53 gene – it produces a protein that suppresses the tumor. Also in DNMT3A – this gene is often mutated in acute myeloid leukemia.