A parasite found in cat poop could cure ovarian cancer.

A new study carried out in America has found Toxoplasma gondii, the organism that lives in the animal faeces, could be the answer to banishing the potentially fatal illness.

US scientists believe a protein carried by a parasite that infests felines appears to make tumours shrink.

Tests already carried out show the chemical works against ovarian cancer but scientists believe it could also hold the key to the cure for breast, kidney, liver and lung tumours, according to LiveScience.com.