Oct. 15, 2010 (Daily Mail) -- Cancer is a man-made disease fuelled by the excesses of modern life, a study of ancient remains has found.
Tumors were rare until recent times when pollution and poor diet became issues, the review of mummies, fossils and classical literature found.
A greater understanding of its origins could lead to treatments for the disease, which claims more than 150,000 lives a year in the UK.
Scientists found no signs of cancer in their extensive study of mummies apart from one isolated case.
Michael Zimmerman, a visiting professor at Manchester University, said: "In an ancient society lacking surgical intervention, evidence of cancer should remain in all cases."
