Cancer across life (IMAGE) Arizona State University Caption The study sheds new light on Peto’s paradox — the observation that larger animals do not always have higher rates of cancer — by showing that while cancer prevalence generally increases with body size and cellular mutation rates, it decreases with longer gestation periods. This reveals a more complex relationship between size, longevity and cancer resistance than previously recognized. Enhancing our understanding of cancer evolution, these findings could also lead to more effective treatments. Credit Jason Drees for the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University Usage Restrictions None License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.