A historical and palaeopathological perspective on cancer
Access Status
Open access
Authors
Galassi, F.M.
Varotto, E.
Vaccarezza, Mauro
Martini, M.
Papa, V.
Date
2024Type
Journal Article
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Galassi, F.M. and Varotto, E. and Vaccarezza, M. and Martini, M. and Papa, V. 2024. A historical and palaeopathological perspective on cancer. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene. 65 (1): pp. E93-E97.
Source Title
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Hygiene
ISSN
Faculty
Faculty of Health Sciences
School
Curtin Medical School
Collection
Abstract
Cancer is often wrongly considered to be a modern disease in many popular medical venues. Cancers have been known to mankind since ancient times. In fact, its antiquity can be proved through the application of palaeopathological methodologies. The present perspective piece demonstrates by means of a historical and palaeopathological analysis how oncological manifestations were present long before the emergence anatomically modern humans and addresses the epidemiological transition from ancient times to the contemporary world.
The final section of the article is dedicated to the analysis of breast cancer and its identification in ancient human remains.
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/