One in Four Dogs Will Die of Cancer - #1 Cause of Death in Dogs Over Age Two
Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) has launched a $30 million effort to cure canine cancer within a dog's lifetime - the next 10 to 20 years.
World-renowned specialists agree that this effort will not only save countless dogs from premature death, but should also help produce breakthroughs for human cancers – in particular childhood cancers.
Endorsement of this initiative has been received from: Children's Oncology Group, Animal Cancer Foundation, MIT/Harvard (Broad Institute), and the Mayo Clinic.
This global cancer cure initiative is attracting major corporate support, including a $1.1 million donation from Pfizer Animal Health for a canine tumor tissue bank, to help researchers uncover new cancer therapies.
"One in four dogs will die of cancer. Cancer is the number one cause of disease-related death in dogs over the age of two. Sadly, many of the most popular dog breeds are especially susceptible to developing cancer. Your donation may very well save your own beloved pet dog from suffering cancer’s effects,” states Dr. Patricia N. Olson, CEO and president of MAF.
"This is the ultimate win-win situation," says Dr. Olson. "As we treat and cure cancer in our pet dogs, we may help alleviate the ravages of cancer among humans. This animal-human bond is simply inspirational."
To learn more, visit: www.curecaninecancer.org.
According to Dr. Stephen Withrow, director of the world's largest Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University, "Dramatic progress has been made in the last several decades on understanding the causes and treatment of cancer.
“Cancer is cancer regardless of species; discoveries in either dogs or humans will have rapid acceptance in the other species." says Dr. Withrow. "Humans really are the dog's best friend. For example, surgical and chemotherapeutic techniques in dog's bone cancer have helped guide treatment in children and visa versa."
The National Cancer Institute, the global leader in human cancer research, has included the study of cancer in dogs within its Comparative Oncology Program since 2003. NCI's Comparative Oncology Program integrates the study of cancer biology and therapy in dogs with the broader cancer research community.
Dr. Richard Gorlick, Children's Oncology Group, whose members treat 90 percent of all children with cancer in North America, says canine-human research is invaluable.
"Cancer in pet dogs strongly resembles the cancers we see in pediatric patients. We strongly support MAF's initiative and believe that results will be ultimately helpful for both children and canine cancer patients."
All Dogs Face Serious Cancer Threat -- These Breeds Are Most Susceptible
Bernese Mountain Dog: Histiocytic sarcoma (soft tissues)
Boxer: Lymphoma (lymph nodes) Brain Cancer
Cocker Spaniel: Lymphoma (lymph nodes)
Golden Retriever: Lymphoma (lymph nodes), Hemangiosarcoma (blood vessels/spleen); 60% of golden retrievers die of cancer
Labrador Retriever: Lymphoma (lymph nodes), Hemangiosarcoma (blood vessels/spleen)
English Springer Spaniel: Mammary gland (breast)
Pug: Mast Cell (skin)
Shar-pei: Mast Cell (skin)
Greyhound: Osteosarcoma (bone)
Rottweiler: Osteosarcoma (bone)
Any large or giant breed: Osteosarcoma (bone)
Collie: Nasal Cancer
Scottish Terrier: Transitional cell carcinoma (bladder), Melanoma (skin/mouth)
Chow Chow: Stomach Cancer
Flat-coated Retriever: Transitional cell carcinoma (bladder), Melanoma (skin/mouth)
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Great video on how pets help kids with cancer
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4289373926523818643&q=pet+cancer
You will want to check out this video on a boy's experience with cancer and how pets can help children undergoing chemotherapy.
You will want to check out this video on a boy's experience with cancer and how pets can help children undergoing chemotherapy.
More Great Science -- First-Ever Cancer Prevention Trial For Dogs
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., April 5 -- The Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation announced today the launch of the first randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled cancer prevention trial in pet dogs. The study will enroll 700 Rottweiler dogs nationwide to test whether daily dietary antioxidants can reduce bone cancer.
Healthy, cancer-free Rottweilers 5 to 6 years of age will be randomized into two treatment groups (supplements versus no supplements) and then followed for up to eight years. Scientists will look at bone cancer incidence, overall cancer incidence and longevity.
The nationwide study is being led by the Murphy Foundation, working together with a skilled network of practicing veterinarians, and is funded by P&G Pet Care, the makers of Iams and Eukanuba. Rottweilers have a strong predisposition to bone cancer.
"Rottweiler owners stand strongly committed to helping us figure out just how to reduce the number of dogs that succumb to cancer," said lead investigator David J. Waters, DVM, PhD, Executive Director of the Murphy Foundation. "This trial takes an important first step toward that goal. Our end goal is to help not only dogs, but their human owners as well, by preventing this devastating disease."
"The intervention we're testing is a potent antioxidant combination that significantly reduces the sensitivity of cells to oxidative stress," said Michael Hayek, PhD, associate director of research and development, P&G Pet Care. "In a pilot study, daily treatment with these supplements rendered the blood cells of dogs more resistant to oxidative stress challenge in the laboratory."
"This landmark study will test whether a change in diet that heightens your defenses against oxidative stress translates into reduced cancer risk or increased longevity. That's very exciting," said Waters. Enrollment of dogs into the trial is expected to be completed during the next 30 months.
Previous emphasis in cancer research -- for humans as well as dogs -- has focused mainly on treatment, not prevention. Murphy Foundation scientists are recognized for their contributions to advancing the frontiers of cancer prevention research, and for pioneering the application
of new discoveries to both humans and animals, a field known as comparative oncology.
About the Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation
The Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation is a not for profit research institute named in memory of its founding director and developer of the PSA test for early prostate cancer detection. The foundation conducts joint research with Purdue University and is located in the Purdue Research Park in West Lafayette, Indiana.
To read whole story click link: http://www.prnewswire.com/news/index_mail.shtml?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/04-05-2007/0004560211&EDATE=
Healthy, cancer-free Rottweilers 5 to 6 years of age will be randomized into two treatment groups (supplements versus no supplements) and then followed for up to eight years. Scientists will look at bone cancer incidence, overall cancer incidence and longevity.
The nationwide study is being led by the Murphy Foundation, working together with a skilled network of practicing veterinarians, and is funded by P&G Pet Care, the makers of Iams and Eukanuba. Rottweilers have a strong predisposition to bone cancer.
"Rottweiler owners stand strongly committed to helping us figure out just how to reduce the number of dogs that succumb to cancer," said lead investigator David J. Waters, DVM, PhD, Executive Director of the Murphy Foundation. "This trial takes an important first step toward that goal. Our end goal is to help not only dogs, but their human owners as well, by preventing this devastating disease."
"The intervention we're testing is a potent antioxidant combination that significantly reduces the sensitivity of cells to oxidative stress," said Michael Hayek, PhD, associate director of research and development, P&G Pet Care. "In a pilot study, daily treatment with these supplements rendered the blood cells of dogs more resistant to oxidative stress challenge in the laboratory."
"This landmark study will test whether a change in diet that heightens your defenses against oxidative stress translates into reduced cancer risk or increased longevity. That's very exciting," said Waters. Enrollment of dogs into the trial is expected to be completed during the next 30 months.
Previous emphasis in cancer research -- for humans as well as dogs -- has focused mainly on treatment, not prevention. Murphy Foundation scientists are recognized for their contributions to advancing the frontiers of cancer prevention research, and for pioneering the application
of new discoveries to both humans and animals, a field known as comparative oncology.
About the Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation
The Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation is a not for profit research institute named in memory of its founding director and developer of the PSA test for early prostate cancer detection. The foundation conducts joint research with Purdue University and is located in the Purdue Research Park in West Lafayette, Indiana.
To read whole story click link: http://www.prnewswire.com/news/index_mail.shtml?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/04-05-2007/0004560211&EDATE=
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