why do elephants not get cancer
advertisement. Cancer is much less common in elephants than in humans, even though the big beasts' bodies have many more cells. Now researchers think they may have an explanation â one they say might someday lead to new ways to protect people from cancer.Elephants' cells contain 40 copies of a major cancer-suppressing gene called p53, two teams of scientists report. Humans have just two-one from each parent.The gene helps damaged cells repair themselves or self-destruct when exposed to cancer-causing substances.ow researchers think they may have an explanation â one they say might someday lead to new ways to protect people from cancer. Elephants' cells contain 40 copies of a major cancer-suppressing gene called p53, two teams of scientists report. Humans have just two-one from each parent.