Cancer rates continue to rise in most developed countries; however,
research shows that archaeological populations had little to fear
from cancer. Croatian archeologists made this discovery after examining
human remains dating back to 5,300 B.C. to the mid-19th century.
Based on their findings researchers proposed
the following hypothesis:
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The high prevalence of cancer today could be attributed to
longer life spans
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Current average life expectancy in Croatia is 74 years while
the average age of death found in the archaeological remains
is 36 years
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Longer human life spans allow slow-developing cancers to surface
Secondary bone tumors, those that often occur when cancers in other
soft tissues migrate and form tumors or metastasize in the skeleton,
are most frequently found in people who develop cancer later in
life. Research shows that while primary tumors of the bone are considered
rare today, secondary metastatic bone tumors are relatively common.
Researchers relied on this knowledge to determine the prevalence
of cancer in Croatian history in their analysis of the bones of
over 3,000 people for both types of tumors.
The study revealed four cases of benign tumors in four skeletal
remains.
While both types of bone cancer were rare, evidence of other diseases
such as syphilis, tuberculosis and leprosy, which contribute to
bone damage, were found to be much more common than cancer among
the ancient populations.
Scientists are planning on using the human remains to study the
causes behind other premature deaths such as arthritis and dental
diseases and hope to use the data to create an intricately detailed
picture of the life and health of Europe throughout history.
National
Geographic News July 13, 2004
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