September has been designated Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Sniffing for the Cure family wants to honor the children currently battling cancer, their loved ones, childhood cancer survivors, those who lost their lives to childhood cancer, the clinicians and researchers who help find better treatments.
Dogs and children both develop several similar cancers. Not only are they affected by similar cancers, but we have learned that human and canine cancers have identical molecular abnormalities and that often they respond to therapies in the same fashion. These connections between dogs and children affected by cancer can help us expedite better treatments for both children and dogs. By studying the similarities of these tumors in dogs, we can learn how to treat these cancers while also providing our pets an opportunity to access innovative treatments.
For instance, leukemia, a blood cancer that affects children, is the most common form of blood cancer reported in dogs. Lymphoma is another example of cancer that affects children and pups. Some of the canine lymphomas resemble human lymphoma in many fundamental ways, including genetic, molecular abnormalities, and similar therapeutic responses to chemotherapy, radiation, and newer targeted therapies.
Another type of cancer that affects children are brain and spinal cord tumors. These are the second most common cancers in children. There are many types of brain and spinal cord tumors. The clinical and histological presentation of intracranial cancers affecting human and dog are also highly comparable, allowing similar diagnostic measures to be used from both species.
Although rare, bone cancer such as osteosarcoma is often observed in children and young adults. Bone cancers account for 3% of pediatric cancers. Although it is rare in humans, around 75,000 cases of canine osteosarcoma are seen annually. This high number of canine osteosarcomas diagnosed every year, combined with dog owners’ great motivation to enroll their pets in clinical trials, represents a tremendous opportunity to advance cancer treatments.
It is a time to shine the light on childhood cancer’s realities and emphasize the importance of life-saving research. We are joining Canines N Kids to make a difference for both children and dogs. This is your opportunity to donate to a foundation committed to helping both canines and children.
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