Promising Research For Cancer — For Dogs!
We all probably know someone with cancer — two of my best friends are cancer survivors. Did you know that nearly one and a half MILLION people in 2009 were newly diagnosed with cancer?! And sadly, over half a million died from cancer.
According to the National Canine Cancer Foundation, one in every three dogs will also develop a cancer.
In general, large breed dogs are more likely to develop cancer. Breeds at higher risk include:
Bernese Mountain Dog
Boxers
Chow
Collie
English Springer spaniel
Golden retriever
Greyhound
Labrador retriever
RottweilersSome medium and smaller breeds are also at higher risk:
Cocker spaniel
Pug
Shar-pei
Scottish terrier
Researchers have been studying cancer in dogs by looking at dog’s genes. Because of the selective breeding programs in dogs, breeds have closer similarities in their genes that you would find when studying groups of humans.
The Van Andel Institute is currently studying gene-related cancers in dogs through the Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium. They plan to collect gene samples from dogs with cancer to help identify if a defective gene is linked to cancer occurrence.
What can you do to help? Well, if your dog is one of the three who does get cancer, talk to your vet about sending blood and tumor samples from your dog to researchers at the consortium. Researchers can be reached at 616-234-5569 or email at CHCC@val.org. Instructions are available on the bottom of the Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium webpage. Researchers are studying both purebred and mixed breed dogs.
Why is understanding canine cancer important? Research done in dogs is hoped to help identify those genes that promote breed-specific cancers in our dogs to hopefully reduce canine cancer in the future. This information will also likely help provide insights into how to reduce human cancers as well.
