Professor Lakshmi Devi Professor Lakshmi Devi Asked 9 months ago

When did cancer first appear?

I'm a historian of science, and I'm researching the origins of diseases. It's fascinating to trace how illnesses have impacted humanity. From an archaeological or historical perspective, when did cancer first appear in documented human existence?

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8 answers

Gaurav Mehta Gaurav Mehta Joined Jan 2026 9 months ago
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Cancer has been around longer than my dad's bad jokes, which is saying something! Seriously, it's not a new invention; evidence suggests it's ancient. So, it's always been here, not just decided to show up last Tuesday. But now we have better tools to fight it!

Priya Yadav Priya Yadav Joined May 2026 6 months ago

From a health perspective, cancer isn't a recent phenomenon. Historical records and archaeological findings show it's existed for thousands of years. While modern lifestyle factors can influence risk, the disease itself isn't 'new.' Focus on what you can control, like a healthy diet, exercise, and regular check-ups.

Akash Verma Akash Verma Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

Hey, it's a common misconception that cancer is a modern disease. Evidence shows it's been present in humans and animals for thousands of years, documented in ancient texts and fossils. It's not a new thing, so don't feel like it's a 'new' threat. What's changed is our scientific understanding and ability to diagnose and treat it, which gives us more power now.

Rahul Chopra Rahul Chopra Joined May 2026 5 months ago

Hmm, cancer has been around for ages, like, way before biryani was invented! So it's not a new thing that just popped up. It means we should always be careful about what we eat and how we live, not just for taste but for health too. And definitely get checked regularly!

Ramesh Kumar Ramesh Kumar Joined Jan 2026 9 months ago

Bhaiyya, cancer is not something from today or yesterday. It has been there since very old times, people say. Our old books and stories also mention such big sicknesses. It is just that now we know more about it and have doctors to fight it. So, always listen to doctors.

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Consult a radiation oncologist

Sarla Devi Sarla Devi Joined Feb 2026 9 months ago

Beti, even in our grandparents' time, people used to talk about some 'dreadful disease' that took lives. They didn't have the scientific name 'cancer' then, but the disease was there. So it's not new, it has been with us for a very long time. We must pray and be vigilant.

Sameer Khan Sameer Khan Joined May 2026 6 months ago

There's archaeological evidence and ancient writings suggesting cancer has been around for thousands of years, so it's not a recent phenomenon. Don't fall for any internet theories claiming it's a new 'man-made' disease. Stick to verified medical facts and consult doctors for accurate information and treatment.

Anand Rao Anand Rao Joined Jun 2026 4 months ago

Just like managing my high BP needs a long-term approach, understanding cancer's history helps. It's not a new disease; it's been around for millennia, with ancient texts describing it. What's evolved is our medical science. So, regular checkups and a healthy lifestyle are important, but always consult specialists for proper guidance on such complex diseases.

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