Scientists Identify First Contagious Cancer in North American Catfish

Researchers have discovered the world's fourth naturally occurring transmissible cancer, which has been spreading among North American catfish populations since 2012.

Genome sequencing confirmed that the tumours found in different fish are identical, proving the cancer is contagious rather than occurring spontaneously in each individual.

While the exact transmission mechanism remains unknown, this discovery is expected to significantly alter how scientists study and monitor cancer development in wildlife.