Naked Mole-Rat Key to Cancer Prevention?

By Kira Margoshes on July 2, 2013

Cancer is one of the most devastating diseases. No one is completely immune, and it is one of the most publicized causes which joins people (i.e. the annual walk for Breast Cancer). However, nothing can replace the loss of a loved one. Thankfully, a new hope in the search for a cure has recently been receiving some press. This, an unlikely source, which in previous years has been overlooked, not only because it isn’t the most appealing of sights to see, but because people simply did not think it would have any relevance other than the possibility of aiding human longevity. It is fortunate that scientists are now working with the naked mole-rat to  find out exactly how and why their saggy skin keeps them immune to cancer.

The naked mole-rat is a creature which may bring to mind the image of an embryo that has yet to be born. Who would believe that this animal may hold the key to cancer prevention and possibly the cure. People say that help can often come from the most unlikely (and in this case least attractive) ways, but this is a sure testament to the fact that appearance is not everything. With a baggy skin to help it make it’s way through tunnels and create a larger den for it’s colony, the naked mole-rate is one of the most interesting and “up-and coming” animals. Living up to 30 years, the naked mole-rat exceeds its’ cousins in more ways than one including it’s luck in the lack of tumors for the entirety of its life. They “are high in a natural sugary substance that stops tumors developing.” Since we all can’t have such lucky skin, it is the duty of the mole-rats to lend us some knowledge and their skin. Some may think studying such animals for such an important task is unconventional. But cancer itself is a bitch, and it shouldn’t matter what methods (within ethical and moral parameters) are used to help bring cancer down.

 

Though the actual cure for cancer is not in sight at the moment, researchers are optimistic that these mole-rats could influence and assist with “ cancer therapies in the long term”. We can only hope that this research continues to receive the funding it needs to help further our knowledge and ability to take treatment one step closer to a cure.

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