One of the most important initiatives undertaken by the Mummy Research Center Foundation is pioneering research on the origin and evolution of cancer. Our mission is to study cancer from a broader perspective – across temporal and geographical boundaries – by studying ancient remains and comparing them to modern cases.
This groundbreaking research was initiated by the President of the Foundation, Marzena Ożarek- Szilke, an anthropologist who has devoted her professional career to studying the living conditions, health state and diseases that affected people in the past. Her knowledge of anthropology, paleopathology, archaeology and medicine has opened up new possibilities for understanding and learning about cancer.
Research objectives:
- Identification: Locate and collect historical cases of cancer from mummies and ancient remains.
- Diagnosis: Re-evaluation of these cases using modern diagnostic tools to confirm the presence of cancer cells.
- Classification: Determine the type of cancer present in each historical case.
- Genetic and Molecular Analysis: Conduct advanced genetic and molecular testing of these ancient cancers.
- Modern comparison: Perform similar tests on modern patients who have been diagnosed with the same types of cancer.
- Comparative study: Analyse and compare results between ancient and modern cases to identify patterns or changes in cancer behaviour over time.
- Global perspective: Expanding research to different time periods and regions around the world, creating a global database of historical cancer cases.
This research is unique in its scope – no one has yet fully explored the potential of mummies and ancient remains to uncover the origin of cancer. Going back to the past, we want to unlock information that can help save lives in the future.
Project director: Marzena Ożarek-Szilke