This document discusses two recent discoveries that could lead to improved cancer treatments: 1) the discovery of a protein called XPD that acts as a "scanner" to recognize and mark locations of damaged DNA, and 2) the identification of early replicating fragile sites (ERFSs) in DNA that are particularly vulnerable to damage and associated with a type of blood cancer. These findings provide new insights into DNA vulnerability and damage recognition that may help enhance cancer therapies by directly manipulating DNA to make it more resistant to damage and tumors.