Various life forms can develop cancer, including sea lions, birds, green turtles, sharks, mice, beluga whales, and the South African clawed toad. Cancer rates have increased in some species like green turtles and beluga whales, possibly due to pollution. While some animals rarely develop tumors, like the South African clawed toad, others like sea lions and birds have higher risks depending on genetics and lifestyle factors. Studies on mice may help develop prostate cancer vaccines for humans. Spider venom is also being researched for its potential to destroy breast cancer cells.

1. Cancer Among Various
Life Forms
Professor Swatski
Bio 101
9 December 2011
By: Ahlaina Worden

2. Sea Lions
The disease typically starts around the penis in males and the cervix in females, then spreads. In
an average year, the Marine Mammal Center sees 15 to 20 California sea lions with cancer. A
post-mortem examination revealed not only cancer in the penis, but also tumors riddling the
lymph nodes, lower spine, kidneys, liver and lungs. 18% of deaths in adult sea lions were the
result of tumors in the reproductive and urinary tracts (Chen).

3. Birds
Genetics play a role in the likelihood of cancer for all bird species. But trauma can also
be a major factor. While tumor-like conditions occur in birds, is not technically
classified as a cancer, these conditions have a tendency to favor change, which make
them difficult to classify. Overall physical condition of a bird is also a determining
factor. Obese parrots are more susceptible to cancer than those birds who eat nothing
but seed mix and birds who receive little exercise are more prone to tumors. Skin
cancers are also more likely with these overfed, under-exercised birds: Unhealthy skin
with a layer of fat underneath is a recipe for trouble (Pham).

4. Green Turtle
Cancer in green turtles have increased 92% , since the early 1980's. Reaching epic proportions
in some areas along the coasts of Florida, Hawaii, and Caribbean islands. Cancer adds to the
long list that is decreasing the turtle population. A few other factors are; over-hunting of the
turtles, their eggs, and fishing accidents. Higher rates of cancer tend to be in bottom feeding
animals and fish. The potential dangers of pollution settling to the bottom of lakes and
waterways increases the risk of animals getting cancer (Lepisto).

5. Sharks
If you were to walk into any health and nutrition store today, you would most likely find bottles
of shark cartilage pills. Advertised as having numerous cancer fighting agents. Shark cartilage is
ingested based on a belief that sharks do not get cancer. This is yet another shark myth. Just like
humans, sharks do get cancer and the number of documented cases of shark cancer is growing
quickly. For the past 100 years, scientists have studied cancerous tumors in sharks. The first shark
tumor was recorded in 1908. Scientists have since discovered benign and cancerous tumors in 18
of the 1,168 species of sharks (“Shark Cartilage”).

6. Mice
There is still no cure for prostate cancer, but scientists may be getting very close to one. They say
they have developed a vaccine that destroys even advanced prostate tumors without any side
effects. However it has only been tested in mice. The scientists from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester
Minn. and at the University of Leeds in England - hope the treatment can one day work in
humans as well ( Van Dyke, et al).

7. Beluga
Whale
Over a quarter of all the deaths of endangered adult beluga whales in Canada's Saint Lawrence
Estuary are caused by cancer, local researchers have found. Such high rates of cancer are
unprecedented in wild animals, apart from fish. Industrial pollution is the most likely cause,
veterinary pathologists claim. The researchers found that cancer of the digestive tract, was the
cause of death of 18% of juvenile belugas and 27% of the adults (Lepisto).

8. The South African Clawed
Toad
Spontaneous tumors may occasionally develop in the south african clawed toad. However, they
are extremely rare in natural and laboratory populations. They are less likely to develop
neoplasms (growths). The dramatic metamorphosis which amphibians go through is a very
unique process. During this process it is believed that the cancer protective agents are formed

9. Spider
Breast cancer cells may be destroyed by venom from poisonous spiders Australian researchers
announced Monday October 25,2011. This is big news because what if other venomous animals
can also, kill cancer cells in not just humans but other species. Spider venom molecules are
designed to target very specific sites the researchers are hoping that some of these molecules
will specifically target cancer cells (Shefchik).

10. Works Cited
Chen, Ingfei. “Cancer Kills Many Sea Lions, and It’s Cause Remains a Mystery.” NYTimes. New
York Times, 5 Mar. 2010. Web. 2 Nov. 2011.
<http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/05/science/05sfsealion.html>
Lepisto, Christine. “Cancer Threaten Wild Animal Populations.” Treehugger. Discovery Inc., 2009.
Web. 2 Nov. 2011.<http://www.treehugger.com/corporate-responsibility/cancers-threaten-
wild-animal-populations.html>
Pham, Angela. “Cancer in Birds: Genetics in Bird Species Play a Big Role in Liklihood of Cancer.”
Bird Channel. BowTie, Inc., n.d. Web. 2 Nov. 2011. <http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-
news/2008/11/25/cancer-in-birds.aspx>
Ruben, L.N, R.H. Clothier. And M. Balls. “Cancer Resistance in Amphibian.”Alternatives to
Laboratory Animals 35.5 (Oct. 2007): 463-70. Web. 2 Nov. 2011.
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18001168>
“Shark Cartilage.” American Cancer Society. American Cancer Society Inc., 1 Nov. 2008. Web. 2 Nov.
2011. <http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandA
lternativeMedicine/PharmacologicalandBiologicalTreatment/shark-cartilage>
Shefchik, Claire. “Breast Cancer Researchers Test Spider Venom Treatment.” Boomer Health &
Lifestyle:News You Need to Know Now. ThirdAge Media, LLC., 25 Oct. 2011. Web. 2 Nov.
2011. <http://www.thirdage.com/news/breast-cancer-researchers-test-spider-venom-
treatment_10-25-2011>
Van Dyke, Terry A., et al. “Mouse Cancer Genetics Program.” National Cancer Institute. National
Cancer Institute, 8 Aug. 2011. Web. 2 Nov. 2011.
<http://ccr.cancer.gov/Labs/lab.asp?labid=61>