Amy Boddy's Research Explores Cancer Across Species

Amy Boddy, CALS affiliate from Anthropology, and her colleagues have compiled the largest dataset on cancer prevalence across 292 vertebrate species, exploring why certain animals are more susceptible to cancer while others resist it, a phenomenon known as Peto’s paradox. Species like ferrets have high cancer rates, whereas black-footed penguins rarely develop cancer. The findings may offer new insights into cancer prevention strategies across species and broaden the scope for cancer research. This work highlights the evolutionary adaptations animals have developed to mitigate cancer risk.