Could the devil facial tumours be caused by an accumulation of exposure to the UV rays radiating through our ozone depleted skies?
It’s true that there is growing evidence to suggest that squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanomas are initiated by solar damage. Also, osteosarcoma of large breed dogs are thought to be initiated or promoted by repetitive trauma. Animals in parks and zoos (including those in Tasmania) are less “shy” and do sunbake. But there has been no evidence to date to suggest that Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) has spontaneously arisen in captive populations. We have also not had cases of melanomas or SCCs. Neoplasms initiated/promoted from trauma and UV damage usually occur as a result of having a degree of chronicity of exposure. There was support for this hypothesis when it was found that older animals were initially the only ones affected (three to four year olds). But one to two year olds are now affected. We are still uncertain of the original cause of DFTD, but we have found evidence supporting our theory that the disease is acting as a contagious allograft – a “parasite” in effect.
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