Posted on 12/30/2015 6:13:59 PM PST by BenLurkin
A contagious cancer, spread by biting, has decimated the population of Tasmanian devils since 1996. Researchers have now identified a second contagious cancer in eight devils, making them question how rare contagious cancer is, according to a new study.
In addition to attempting to breed devils identified as immune to the disease, scientists started working on a vaccine against Devil Facial Tumor Disease earlier this year -- which they said will not be thrown off by the discovery of a second form of the cancer.
The cancer, which researchers believe is spread by common biting behavior, causes tumors and lesions on the face and neck, and kills 100 percent of the animals it infects.
...
While researchers said existence of DFT1 and DFT2, as they are now referred to, makes them rethink the commonality of contagious cancers in nature, they will continue on with efforts to vaccinate as many devils as possible to save the species.
(Excerpt) Read more at upi.com ...
Interesting.
.
Cute little devil.
I remember an argument I had on FR some years ago with a ‘medical professional’ that was claiming that cancer wasn’t ever contagious. Almost worth digging through old posts to look for it.
Assuming he/she wasn't in *Veterinary* medicine then one can assume that he/she believed that human beings were being discussed.
Lemons cure cancer. Drink lemon water daily.
Dang, I wonder how the research is coming along for the vaccine. It would be a shame to lose this species to such a horrid disease.
Was it you? Because we were dealing, with among other issues, the HPV/ cancer link. (The ‘H’ in HPV is for ‘Human’). But in the end, ‘animals is animals’. And a number of cancers have a viral origin.
Since it is indicated that the disease is transmitted via biting, perhaps caging the animals separately would help.
My city zoo just got a pair of brothers for display. They are a bundle of energy.
I think the difference is that, in these cases, the cancer itself is what is transmitted. There’s another one (in dogs or cats, I can’t remember) that is sexually transmitted, and is the same way - kills ‘em all once they’ve got it. Human viruses such as HPV get transmitted all the time, but relatively few become cancerous, and even then most are fairly treatable.
I ain’t no microbiologist, though, so take it for what you will.
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Second Hand Cancer.
It makes you wonder how many human cancers are contagious too.
I have heard of cases of suspected contagious cancer in the US among people. It was years ago and I don’t recall the situation exactly.
The one comment that I do recall is that they were very reluctant to share that for fear of the widespread panic among people thinking that they could catch cancer.
Maybe instead of trying to cure the cancer, they should try to find out why all the devils are so angry.
Thanks.
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