The study of cancer epidemiology in dog populations has earned substantial attention. Cancer epidemiology is the study and analysis of where, when, who, and what are the risk factors to develop cancer. The interest in understanding cancer in dog populations is because understanding the risk factors that can cause cancer in specific dog breeds can help us understand what determinants may contribute to cancer development (not only in dogs but also in humans).
If you look around, we (humans) are very different from each other. In contrast to people, dog breeds are less diverse genetically. The similar genetic background within breeds makes it easier for scientists to understand what factors and changes in the DNA are responsible for causing cancer.
Studies have shown that some dog breeds are more likely to develop lymphoma. Based on this information, the European Canine Lymphoma Network decided to determine which breeds were at higher risk of developing lymphoma in eight different European countries (Austria, France, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and United Kingdom). They found 1529 cases of dogs that acquired lymphoma in these countries from 2010 to 2015.
🐾 Doberman, Rottweiler, boxer and Bernese mountain dogs were found to have a higher tendency to develop lymphoma compared to other breeds.
🐾 Boxers were found to be highly predisposed to develop lymphoma only in France.
🐾 They also learned that different breeds develop different types of lymphomas. For example, boxers tended to acquire a specific type of lymphoma called T-cell lymphoma. Rottweilers had a high prevalence of acquiring other type of lymphoma called B-cell lymphoma.
🐾 In the USA, golden retrievers have been reported to be highly predisposed to lymphoma. In contrast with these studies, the European golden retriever population did not show any possible predisposition to lymphoma overall.
So, what conclusions can we make from all of this information?
🐾 Scientists think that although environmental risk factors may explain the different breed risks observed between American and European studies, probably genetics has a stronger role in the development of cancer in this case.
The reason for them to think that genetics has a more important role in cancer development is because other studies have shown that American and European golden retrievers are notably different with minimal interbreed, and are genetically distinct.
The effects between environmental risk factors and breed-related predisposition deserves more research studies including essential questions related to the impact of the environment, exposure to pollutants and, owners’ habits on cancer development.
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