Cancer Can Be Contagious

Tasmanian Devils transmit it by biting, dogs with sex

By Patrick Spain, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 6, 2008 8:31 PM CDT

(Newser) – Contrary to long-held opinion, cancer can be contagious—and Darwin is to blame, a science reporter told NPR. It turns out cancer cells evolve as species do, and in some rare cases—a cancer affecting Tasmanian devils, two others in dogs and hamsters—the cancers have evolved to allow direct contagion from one host creature to another.

The devils got it from biting each other, and dogs from sex. How did their cancer cells evolve so effectively? Due to a lack of genetic diversity: The devils, for example, were hunted to extinction by Australian dingos and managed to survive in isolated Tasmania. But "we're very far" from cancer being contagious in humans, the writer said. "I think the real point is understanding cancer better."

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A Tasmanian Devil is seen suffering from a deadly disease in this undated file photo. (AP Photo)

A healthy Tasmanian Devil is seen in this undated file photo. (AP Photo/Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, HO, File)

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Cancer Can Be Contagious