Turtles Defy Cancer: Only 1% Rate Despite Century-Long Lives

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Turtles have cracked nature's cancer code with a stunning 99% resistance rate, even while living beyond 150 years.

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Only 1% of turtles develop cancer compared to much higher rates in mammals and birds, according to groundbreaking research.

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Even when tumors do appear in turtles, they almost never spread to other parts of the body - unlike the aggressive cancers humans face.

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Scientists from the University of Nottingham and Birmingham analyzed medical records from hundreds of zoo turtles to confirm this remarkable resistance.

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How do turtles pull off this biological feat? Their slow metabolism reduces cellular stress that typically damages DNA in other animals.

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Think about it: Galapagos and Aldabra giant tortoises can weigh hundreds of kilograms and live for over a century - conditions that should make cancer inevitable.

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Meet Burt, a radiated tortoise at Chester Zoo born in 1945, who continues to thrive at nearly 80 years old without cancer.

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The turtle's toolkit against cancer includes robust DNA repair mechanisms that quickly fix genetic errors before they become tumors.

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Can humans learn from turtle biology? Researchers believe these ancient reptiles may hold keys to preventing cancer in people.

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The timing of this discovery carries special urgency as many turtle species face extinction from climate change, habitat loss, and illegal trafficking.

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Several turtle species studied are classified as Endangered or Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

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This research highlights how protecting biodiversity isn't just about saving species - it may preserve biological solutions developed over millions of years that could solve human health challenges.

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