Researchers have discovered evidence of ancient Egyptians attempting to surgically treat cancer over 4,000 years ago. A study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution analyzed a human skull from the University of Cambridge’s Duckworth Collection, dating back to between 2686 and 2345 B.C. The skull contained a large primary tumor and over 30 smaller, metastatic lesions. Notably, these lesions exhibited cut marks, indicating an attempt at surgical intervention possibly using a sharp metal instrument. This discovery predates the previously known oldest description of cancer from around 1600 B.C. in Egypt. The research team also examined a skull from a 50-year-old woman who lived between 664 and 343 B.C., which revealed a large skull lesion suggestive of cancer, along with healed traumatic injuries. These findings suggest that cancer was a medical challenge in ancient Egypt, with attempts at treatment but limited success. The study highlights the long-standing struggle against cancer and provides insight into the origins of modern medicine.
Ancient Egyptians Performed Cancer Surgery Over 4,000 Years Ago, Study Reveals
