Prostate Cancer Discovered In Ancient Mummies

The discovery of prostate cancer in Egyptian mummies 2,200 years old show, genetic factors may play a greater role in the development of this disease than environmental factors, researchers say.An international research team identified a group of cancer in Ptolemic mummy, which is stored in the National Archaeological Museum of Lisbon, using computerized tomography technique (CT) scan.
The mummy, known as M1 was measuring about 65 cm and a mummified adult male who lived between 285-30SM, and 51-60 years old when he died, as reported by uk.health.lifestyle.yahoo.
CT images revealed a small circle, round, deep wounds on bones that are found mostly in the hip, spine and near the limb. This is all an indication of prostate cancer.
"Injuries to the bones is very likely a part of metastatic prostate cancer," the researchers wrote in the International Journal of Paleopathology.
This is the oldest of prostate cancer cases in Egypt and is the world's second oldest case, the researchers said.
Lifestyle and environment is often referred to as the deciding factor in the development of various types of cancer.
However, Professor Salima Ikram of the American University in Cairo said: "We're starting to see that the main cause of cancer is not environmental factors, but more genetic.
"Conditions are very different in ancient times, no pollutants or engineered foods. This makes us confident that the disease is not always associated with the industry factor."
Prof Ikram said, more people died of cancer at this time because they have a longer life span. "The life expectancy of ancient Egyptian society ranging from 30 to 40 years, this means that those who suffer from the disease may be due to other reasons than its development."
He added: "Such a finding brings us one step closer to finding the causes of cancer, and, ultimately, seeking a cure from a disease that has long surrounded the man."
Early detection of prostate cancer in the world comes from the 2700 year old skeleton belonging to a Scythian king in Russia, the scientists suspect that the cancer is quite common in the past, although the recorded cases are quite rare.