These clams are in a jam. Scientists warn that along the West Coast, legions of soft-shell clams are contracting a deadly, highly contagious cancer. Known as bivalve transmissible neoplasia, the cancer is spread when living cancer cells pass from one animal to another through seawater. Known as bivalve transmissible neoplasia, the cancer is spread when living cancer cells pass from one animal to another through seawater. akulamatiau – stock.adobe.com While the disease has previously been found in soft-shell clams along the Atlantic Coast, this is the first time it has been identified on the West Coast. A study published last month revealed that more than three-quarters of clams at two locations in Washington state waters were affected by the cancer, making it one of the most grievous outbr