home
RSS
How the ancient world dealt with cancer
October 14th, 2010
06:15 PM ET

How the ancient world dealt with cancer

Cancer is widespread today, but it doesn't appear to have been in the ancient world. Why not?

Researchers are learning more about the history of cancer and how civilizations have treated it.

A study in the journal Nature Reviews Cancer suggests that cancer has become a more common disease only recently, because of modern lifestyle.

Rosalie David, professor at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom and Michael Zimmerman, professor at Villanova University in Pennsylvania, explored the evidence of cancer in the fossil record of early humans, in ancient Egypt and in ancient Greece. They argue that modern carcinogens - such as tobacco and pollution - may have contributed to the apparent rise in cancer in the last several hundred years.

However, there are many reasons why this is a tenuous conclusion: No one can conduct a survey of ancient populations. The risk of cancer rises with age, and people only started living longer more recently. Cancer is also highly genetic. To say that pollution has helped make cancer prevalent is highly controversial, said James Olson, historian at Sam Houston State University in Texas.

But certainly smoking, poor diet, and lack of exercise all contribute to cancer in the modern world, Olson said.

Still, the paper makes some interesting points about the historical record of cancer, he said.

There are very few indications of cancer in early human remains, and possibilities that have been found have been disputed, the analysis said. In Egypt, out of hundreds of mummies only one case of cancer has been confirmed: Zimmerman's experiments on modern mummified tissue suggest that mummification does not destroy evidence of the malignancy - he and colleagues found colorectal cancer in a mummy.

The ancient Egyptians wrote about many magical spells they used to treat cancer-like illnesses, a few of which are described in papyri. Here's one particularly gruesome remedy for what may have been cancer of the uterus: Break up a stone in water, leave it overnight, and then pour it into the vagina. Another treatment described was fumigation: The patient would sit over something that was burning. Still, it's not certain that any of the maladies described were actually cancer, David said.

Ancient Greece first identified cancer as a specific illness, the analysis said. It appears that the Greeks had a better knowledge and awareness of cancer than their predecessors, which is a more likely explanation than an increase in cancer, David and Zimmerman said.

In Ancient Greece, cancer gets referenced in the Hippocratic Corpus- texts said to have been written by the "father of medicine" Hippocrates between 410 and 360 B.C.
These texts say that an excess of black bile causes cancer. "Hippocrates used the carcinos (crab) and carcinoma to desribe a range of tumours and swellings," David and Zimmerman wrote. The Roman physician Galen of Pergamum said around 200 A.D. that this was because some cancers appeared crab-like.

Ancient Greeks knew that a mastectomy would help a patient with a lump in her breast, but they also recognized that cancer can recur and spread to other parts of the body.

"They recommended an unbelievable variety of potions, and plant extracts, and combinations to see if they couldn’t kill the cancer in other places," Olson said. "None of those worked."

It can be argued that since life expectancy was lower in the ancient world, most people didn't live long enough to develop cancer, David said. But the lack of evidence of childhood bone cancer suggests that perhaps overall rates were lower as well, she said.

From about 500 to 1500 A.D. there was little advancement in understanding cancer, the analysis said. Then, in the 17th century, Wilhelm Fabricus described operations for breast and other cancers. Cancer rates appear to have increased since the Industrial Revolution, David said. In the past 200 years, reports of specific cancers such as scrotal cancer and Hodgkin's disease have emerged.

Here's an overview from the American Cancer Society of the history of cancer.

 Post by:
Filed under: Cancer
Next entry »
« Previous entry
soundoff (2,770 Responses)
  1. RV Repair Parts Near Me

    http://www.qlt-online.de/cgi-bin/click/clicknlog.pl?link=https://ocrv.today/

    June 23, 2021 at 13:45 | Report abuse | Reply
  2. Beauty Fashion

    Hi! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? I'm kinda paranoid about losing everything I've worked hard on. Any suggestions?

    https://www.kayswell.com

    June 23, 2021 at 14:07 | Report abuse | Reply
  3. Content Marketing Firm

    Iím impressed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog thatís equally educative and entertaining, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is an issue that too few people are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I found this during my search for something regarding this.

    http://www.miniatureworld.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=marketingpostfalls.com

    June 23, 2021 at 14:07 | Report abuse | Reply
  4. RV And Trailer Repair Near Me

    http://embersofautumn.biz/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.ocrv.club/

    June 23, 2021 at 14:16 | Report abuse | Reply
  5. casino phú quốc khai trương 2017

    Tin Mới Mẻ Nhất đá Bóng Trong Vòng 24h, đưa Nhượng, Kết Quả, ..mejor casino onlineLiverpool là nhóm bóng nhận ít thẻ nhất ở Premier League mùa này và đang được đứng trước thời cơ đạt giải thưởng Fair Play ở mùa giải loại 5 liên tục. Sau khi thăng hạng 96 thế giới, nhóm tuyển nước Việt Nam đã lọt nhóm phân tử giống số 2 vòng chủng loại World Cup 2022 khu vực vực châu Á.

    https://www.vnd188.bet/

    June 23, 2021 at 15:08 | Report abuse | Reply
  6. RV Brake Repair Near Me

    When I initially commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the exact same comment. There has to be an easy method you can remove me from that service? Thanks a lot!

    http://intermarineusa.info/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.info

    June 23, 2021 at 15:18 | Report abuse | Reply
  7. Digital Marketing Agencies

    http://disneysaver.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=postfallsmarketing.com

    June 23, 2021 at 16:45 | Report abuse | Reply
  8. rapid result covid testing near me

    http://familyresourceguide.info/linkto.aspx?link=https://reviewnearme.com/

    June 23, 2021 at 17:02 | Report abuse | Reply
  9. movies near me

    I really like it when individuals get together and share opinions. Great website, continue the good work!

    http://www.taiwanaudio.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=bjsnearme.com

    June 23, 2021 at 17:03 | Report abuse | Reply
  10. Video Marketing Companies Near Me

    Spot on with this write-up, I seriously feel this amazing site needs a lot more attention. Iíll probably be back again to read through more, thanks for the info!

    https://fuse.fuseuniversal.com/redirect?to=https://postfallsfitness.com

    June 23, 2021 at 17:20 | Report abuse | Reply
  11. Content Marketing Experts

    http://detroitlakeslodge.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=orangecountysocialmediamarketingexperts.com/

    June 23, 2021 at 17:21 | Report abuse | Reply
  12. RV Chassis Repair Near Me

    You are so cool! I do not suppose I've read through something like that before. So good to find another person with a few unique thoughts on this subject matter. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that's needed on the internet, someone with a little originality!

    http://oknadverinn.ru/redirect?url=https://ocrv.xyz

    June 23, 2021 at 17:21 | Report abuse | Reply
  13. pharmaceptica

    can i buy sildenafil online uk https://www.pharmaceptica.com/

    June 23, 2021 at 19:14 | Report abuse | Reply
  14. Video Marketing Experts

    The very next time I read a blog, Hopefully it doesn't fail me as much as this one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read through, however I actually thought you would probably have something helpful to say. All I hear is a bunch of moaning about something you can fix if you were not too busy searching for attention.

    http://abetterhope.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ppcpostfalls.com

    June 23, 2021 at 19:34 | Report abuse | Reply
  15. smoothies near me

    Itís hard to come by well-informed people on this subject, but you seem like you know what youíre talking about! Thanks

    http://floodsmartagent.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=masternearme.com/

    June 23, 2021 at 19:37 | Report abuse | Reply
  16. RV Furnace Repair Near Me

    Iím amazed, I must say. Seldom do I come across a blog thatís both equally educative and interesting, and without a doubt, you've hit the nail on the head. The issue is something which too few folks are speaking intelligently about. I'm very happy that I came across this in my hunt for something concerning this.

    http://bormannmarketing.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.biz

    June 23, 2021 at 20:10 | Report abuse | Reply
  17. 90phut tivi

    Tỷ Số đá Bóng Trực Tuyến Ngày Hôm Naybxh c1Theo thể thức thi đấu, đội thắng ở cặp đấu này sẽ giành tấm vé đến Lithuania trong ngày hội bóng đá lớn nhất thế giới đến futsal. Tuyển futsal Việt Nam bước vào trận play-off lượt đi tranh vé dự play-off World Cup 2021 với sự tự tin. Tuy vậy, HLV Phạm Minh Giang bày tỏ, toàn đội ko ngán Lebanon tuy vậy sẽ tìm cách để khắc chế sức mạnh của đối thủ bởi trên băng ghế huấn luyện là nhà cầm quân Ramiro Lopez, người từng dẫn dắt futsal Tây Ban Nha.|Dựa vào lịch thi đấu, bạn rất có thể sắp xếp việc làm

    https://rucyprus.net/detail/90-phut-tv-101473.html

    June 23, 2021 at 20:27 | Report abuse | Reply
  18. thevangtv

    Trực Tiếp đá Bóng Hôm NayacestreamXem soccer trực tuyến Trực tiếp Odd BK vs Sarpsborg, 20h ngày 24/5, giải VĐQG Na Uy. Xem lịch phát sóng thẳng đá bóng EURO hôm nay được Webthethao update chính xác nhất.

    https://murraystivoli.com/detail/7m-vn-101725.html

    June 23, 2021 at 20:41 | Report abuse | Reply
  19. aldis near me

    http://lilholes.com/out.php?http://reviewnearme.com/

    June 23, 2021 at 20:42 | Report abuse | Reply
  20. bath and body works near me

    This is a topic that is near to my heart... Best wishes! Exactly where are your contact details though?

    http://www.buypcb.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=www.quotenearme.com

    June 23, 2021 at 21:00 | Report abuse | Reply
  21. sảnh rồng

    Xoilac Tv Thẳng Soccer xem trực tiếp bóng đá cúp c1Đội tuyển Việt Nam chỉ muốn một kết trái hòa có bàn thắng nhằm lần loại hai góp mặt tại World Cup futsal. Nhưng, nhằm làm được điều này

    https://frontsportsbox.com/detail/nap-lang-la-133970.html

    June 23, 2021 at 21:30 | Report abuse | Reply
  22. RV Parts And Repair Near Me

    http://curtrapp.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.biz

    June 23, 2021 at 21:55 | Report abuse | Reply
  23. RV Collision Repair Near Me

    http://copterfest.org/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvshop.com

    June 23, 2021 at 22:10 | Report abuse | Reply
  24. Social Media Marketing Businesses

    Hello there! I could have sworn Iíve been to this website before but after browsing through some of the articles I realized itís new to me. Regardless, Iím definitely delighted I found it and Iíll be book-marking it and checking back frequently!

    http://www.mastermason.com/MakandaLodge434/guestbook/go.php?url=http://onlinebannerdisplayadvertisingservices.com

    June 23, 2021 at 23:03 | Report abuse | Reply
  25. RV And Truck Repair Near Me

    http://jazzitdesign.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.pro

    June 24, 2021 at 00:23 | Report abuse | Reply
  26. Internet Marketing Agencies

    I used to be able to find good advice from your blog articles.

    http://www.canalwork.biz/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=lifebusinessfitness.com

    June 24, 2021 at 01:06 | Report abuse | Reply
  27. RV Fridge Repair Near Me

    https://www.e-islam.ru/index.asp?href=https://ocrvmotorsports.biz

    June 24, 2021 at 01:16 | Report abuse | Reply
  28. Social Media Marketing Businesses

    Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Thanks for providing this information.

    http://interiorquote.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=whatisdisplayadvertising.com

    June 24, 2021 at 02:03 | Report abuse | Reply
  29. SEO Marketing Agencies

    I blog quite often and I genuinely thank you for your information. This great article has really peaked my interest. I will take a note of your website and keep checking for new information about once per week. I opted in for your RSS feed as well.

    http://www.ia.omron.com/view/log/redirect/index.cgi?url=https://webdesignpostfalls.com

    June 24, 2021 at 02:17 | Report abuse | Reply
  30. eyebrow threading near me

    This is the right website for anyone who wishes to understand this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want toÖHaHa). You definitely put a fresh spin on a subject that's been written about for many years. Wonderful stuff, just great!

    http://wstrategie.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=bestshopnearme.com

    June 24, 2021 at 02:44 | Report abuse | Reply
  31. RV Repair And Service Near Me

    A motivating discussion is worth comment. I do believe that you ought to publish more about this subject, it might not be a taboo matter but generally people don't talk about such issues. To the next! Best wishes!!

    http://waterconfidence.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvmotorsports.biz

    June 24, 2021 at 03:12 | Report abuse | Reply
  32. protests near me

    I blog often and I truly thank you for your information. Your article has really peaked my interest. I'm going to bookmark your blog and keep checking for new information about once a week. I opted in for your RSS feed too.

    http://wihomes.com/property/DeepLink.asp?url=https://bestservicenearme.com

    June 24, 2021 at 03:21 | Report abuse | Reply
  33. Google Marketing Agency

    https://www.nbmain.com/NetBooking.Reservations.Server.Servlets.Availability.SiteAvailabilityMainR?innkey=mcdaniel&bg=&formname=rdetail&s=BookMark&backpage=https://internetmarketingmontana.com/&ikback=&pcode=&ik=0&months=3&month=May&day=20&year=2021

    June 24, 2021 at 04:05 | Report abuse | Reply
  34. SEO Marketing Agencies

    http://www.sweetcotton.com/osanpo/search/rank.cgi?mode=link&id=1154&url=https://online-website-marketing.com/

    June 24, 2021 at 04:31 | Report abuse | Reply
  35. RV Roof Repair Near Me

    http://bigdaddys.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.life/

    June 24, 2021 at 04:40 | Report abuse | Reply
  36. RV Collision Repair Near Me

    Iím amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I come across a blog thatís equally educative and amusing, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is an issue that too few people are speaking intelligently about. Now i'm very happy I came across this during my hunt for something regarding this.

    http://www.prismotri.com/url.php?url=https://ocrvmotorcoachsales.com/

    June 24, 2021 at 05:16 | Report abuse | Reply
  37. joann fabrics near me

    Hi, I do think this is a great site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to come back yet again since i have book marked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.

    http://connectwhereitcounts.net/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=masternearme.com/

    June 24, 2021 at 05:59 | Report abuse | Reply
  38. Internet Marketing Service

    http://outspringmail.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=affordableranking.com

    June 24, 2021 at 06:14 | Report abuse | Reply
  39. 24 hour pharmacy near me

    http://www.2-rabbits.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=bjsnearme.com

    June 24, 2021 at 06:30 | Report abuse | Reply
  40. Content Marketing Business

    http://validator.webylon.info/check?uri=www.meticulousjess.com

    June 24, 2021 at 06:57 | Report abuse | Reply
  41. RV Repair Shops Near My Location

    http://www.earthshots.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvluxurycoaches.com

    June 24, 2021 at 08:22 | Report abuse | Reply
  42. dap pen

    Dab Pads & Oil Containershttps://www.posts123.com/user/832453/colonclef1All products intended for use with legal smoking/vaping mixtures only .

    https://www.posts123.com/user/821042/satincatsup0

    June 24, 2021 at 08:27 | Report abuse | Reply
  43. Digital Marketing Business

    I used to be able to find good advice from your blog articles.

    http://ijbssnet.com/view.php?u=https://www.postfallsvideographer.com

    June 24, 2021 at 08:40 | Report abuse | Reply
  44. RV Brake Repair Near Me

    http://www.boostercash.fr/vote-583-341.html?adresse=ocrv.fun&amppopup=1

    June 24, 2021 at 08:41 | Report abuse | Reply
  45. plant nursery near me

    http://www.evertkok.nl/informatica/PHP/test2.php?a%5B%5D=Minecraft+Gratuit+(<a+href=https://www.bjsnearme.com

    June 24, 2021 at 09:59 | Report abuse | Reply
  46. RV Electrical Repair Near Me

    Saved as a favorite, I love your blog!

    http://gottfriedconsulting.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrvcenter.info

    June 24, 2021 at 10:16 | Report abuse | Reply
  47. Google Marketing Company

    Hi there, I do believe your site could possibly be having browser compatibility problems. Whenever I take a look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in I.E., it's got some overlapping issues. I just wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Aside from that, fantastic website!

    http://www.cyprus-net.com/banner_click.php?banid=9&link=https://getmoneysocial.com

    June 24, 2021 at 11:00 | Report abuse | Reply
  48. Social Media Marketing Agency Near Me

    Iím amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog thatís both equally educative and interesting, and without a doubt, you have hit the nail on the head. The issue is something that too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. I'm very happy I came across this in my hunt for something regarding this.

    http://localbusiness.shelbystar.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=cleanuponlinereputation.com

    June 24, 2021 at 11:26 | Report abuse | Reply
  49. Local Marketing Service

    http://caoilinrice.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=consciousgrowthmarketing.com

    June 24, 2021 at 11:55 | Report abuse | Reply
  50. eye doctor near me

    http://dunesanddirt.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=bestservicenearme.com/

    June 24, 2021 at 12:06 | Report abuse | Reply
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53

Post a comment


  

CNN welcomes a lively and courteous discussion as long as you follow the Rules of Conduct set forth in our Terms of Service. Comments are not pre-screened before they post. You agree that anything you post may be used, along with your name and profile picture, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and the license you have granted pursuant to our Terms of Service.

Next entry »
« Previous entry
Advertisement
About this blog

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.