Popular wisdom holds that Sharks do not get cancer. That is why shark cartilage is widely used to prevent/treat cancer. Turns out that popular wisdom is once again proven wrong. According to an article in "livescience" sharks can indeed get cancer.
The article states Recently, researchers in Australia noticed a large tumor protruding from the mouth of a great white shark, as well as another mass on the head of a bronze whaler shark. The great white's tumor measured 1 foot (30 centimeters) long and 1 foot wide, according to a study describing the tumors published online in November in the Journal of Fish Diseases.
So this is both good news, hopefully fewer sharks are being killed for the cartilage, the bad news, ... sharks can get cancer. I hope that the good news in this case outweighs the bad, since I've only seen a few sharks with cancerous growths.
Cheers,
Martin Graf
CEO Shark Diver
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at staff@sharkdiver.com.
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Credit: Andrew Fox and Sam Cahir |
So this is both good news, hopefully fewer sharks are being killed for the cartilage, the bad news, ... sharks can get cancer. I hope that the good news in this case outweighs the bad, since I've only seen a few sharks with cancerous growths.
Cheers,
Martin Graf
CEO Shark Diver
About Shark Diver. As a global leader in commercial shark diving and conservation initiatives Shark Diver has spent the past decade engaged for sharks around the world. Our blog highlights all aspects of both of these dynamic and shifting worlds. You can reach us directly at staff@sharkdiver.com.