Can Cockroaches Cause Cancer? FIND OUT!

Cockroaches are some of the toughest bugs we have on the planet, able to withstand extreme conditions like radiation and survive. Recent studies in India suggest that they may be unintentionally leading to an increase in cancer rates among their human hosts.

However, there is No way that is possible! Cockroaches are carriers of many things, but no one, I mean, absolutely no one has been able to prove that cockroaches are the definitive carriers of any disease like cancer.

Cancer occurs when cells mutate, and/or either reproduce at an extremely high rate or just won’t die. It can only occur as a result of mutation.

There are certain things that could increase the chances of such a mutation and those things are known as carcinogens. Nothing can “carry cancer” as in infecting another with it.

Now, are roaches carcinogenic? No. At the most, because they can roam about any putrid surface, it is suspected that they carry bacteria and other potential microscopic pathogens, but this is mostly speculation. Roaches are like cats, they groom themselves constantly with their front legs. In the world of insects, that is clean enough for me.

Why do People think Cockroaches Cause Cancer?

Many people believe that cockroaches can cause cancer because they are known to carry disease.

Roaches have been found to carry the salmonella and e-coli bacteria. They also spread listeria and typhoid fever which are known to cause cancer in humans. Roaches can also cause allergic reactions and asthma.

ALSO SEE: Do Roaches Carry Lyme Disease?

How can Cockroaches spread cancer?

Although, it has never happened. It is possible.

Cockroaches can spread cancer by carrying cancerous cells inside their bodies. They also have the ability to transfer these cells to humans if they come in contact with them.

This happens either when a cockroach crawls on the hands of a person or if one eats a cockroach that has the cells on it’s body.

What are the risks of being in contact with cockroach droppings?

Cockroach droppings may contain unhealthy bacteria that can irritate the skin. If a person inhales the droppings, it could lead to lung problems.

Scratching an area where cockroach droppings have made contact could lead to infection or severe allergy.

The reasons for why cockroaches are not affected by radiation

Cockroaches are resilient insects because they are able to withstand radiation better than other species of insects.

A study done by the University of Louisville School of Medicine found that cockroaches were able to survive doses of radiation that would have killed other insects in less than an hour. Unlike humans, cockroaches have a unique ability to repair their DNA when it becomes damaged.

This is why they do not suffer from cancer anytime soon like humans do.

Can Cockroaches Cure Cancer?

The answer to this question is “No”. In case you had some doubts, cockroaches do not cause cancer.

Can Roaches affect your Health?

Cockroaches are common household pests that come in all shapes and sizes. Cockroaches can cause allergies and asthma to worsen, as the feces from these insects can contain airborne particles that trigger allergic reactions. The saliva of cockroaches also carries proteins that have been known to cause infectious diseases. In rare cases, people with a healthy immune system may get cancer from being infected with a certain type of parasite carried by certain types of cockroaches.

What Disease does Cockroach Cause?

Cockroaches can carry diseases like salmonella, E. coli, and other bacteria. They are also carriers of the parasite that causes Chagas disease.

Conclusion

There is no current evidence showing that cockroaches can cause cancer. There are many studies that show how insects like cockroaches, mosquitos, and lice can spread illnesses such as pneumonia and typhoid fever. But, there is no clear evidence showing that cockroaches can cause cancer.