Changes in cellular apoptotic function can influence the chances of cells becoming cancer cells - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 18 - 2019 - Paper 1

A decrease in apoptosis means that cells that would normally undergo programmed cell death do not, allowing abnormal or pre-cancer cells to survive longer. This accumulation of cells can increase the chance of these cells becoming cancerous as they continue to proliferate without the regulatory mechanism of apoptosis.