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100
3000 BC first evidence of cancer
Evidence of cancer found in Egyptian mummies from this period -
100
400 BC pre cancer in incas
Evidence of cancer found in mummies of pre-Columbian Incas of Peru -
100
1600 BC papyrus describes cancer treatments
Egyptian papyruses describe treatments for cancer including cutting out with a knife or burning with red-hot irons. Stomach cancer was treated with boiled barley mixed with dates, cancer of the uterus by a concoction of fresh dates mixed with pig's brain introduced into the vagina -
Jan 1, 1500
little progress made
Little progress was made in understanding cancer. It was still believed to be caused by too much black bile. Surgery and cautery were used on smaller tumours. Caustic (burning) pastes, usually containing arsenic, were used for control of more extensive cancer. Phlebotomy (blood-letting), diet, herbal medicines, powder of crab and other symbolic charms were used -
invention of microscopes
The development of microscopes, and better understanding of cells and the blood and lymphatic systems were major steps in improving understanding of cancer. -
causes for cancer suggested
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anesthesia advances for surgery
Important discoveries in anaesthetics and control of infection improved surgical methods -
xray discovered
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radium discovered
The radioactive substance, radium was discovered. It is now used to treat some types of cancer. -
materials discovered that cuase cancer
Hundreds of materials, both man-made and natural, were recognised as causes of cancer (carcinogens). Improvements made in diagnosing (identifying) diseases and the changes those diseases bring about in the body, due to advances in areas of science such as physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology -
chemotherapy discovered
Chemotherapy—use of drugs to treat cancer—was tested -
radiotherapy discovered
Radiotherapy—use of radiation to kill cancer cells or stop them dividing—was developed as a treatment -
national cancer act. signed
President Nixon signs the National Cancer Act.
