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Hello everyone,
My story is that I had a family of 4 Labs over the last twenty years (Dad, Mom and two daughters from their one litter). Dad was killed by a tumor in his upper jaw. Mom had a neurosarcoma that could have been locally aggresive but never recurred. I also suspect she may have had a brain tumor at the time of her death but have no proof. One daughter fought lymphoma for two years and succumbed to it. The other daughter had osteosarcoma in her shoulder blade and upper humerus - and it was the cause of her death. So cancer took at least 3 out of 4.
I have also watched a friend lose a Pyr and Anatolian to bone cancer and although I try not to think about it, I live in fear that my Pyr Bacchus will develop it.
Someone asked if Pyrs are particularly affected by cancer. I don't think so, but I do think cancer is epidemic among our canine partners. Who is keeping track? It would be great if we would all ask our vets if they have seen an increase in cancer over the timeperiod of their practices.
But there is one thing we can do that would be a proactive approach to dealing with cancer in our beloved dogs. There are several research organizations that are collecting blood and tissue samples from dogs afflicted with cancer in order to have a bank of samples available to researchers. By donating to these blood/tissue banks, at least something good could come of our dogs' diseases and perhaps it would help us feel a little better.
Here are two to consider - both of these provide the proper sampling materials to the vet and pay shipping both ways. They do not pay the vet's fees as far as I know.
Modiano Lab - looking for samples from dogs with hemangiosarcoma, osteosarcoma or lymphoma. They are providing samples for at least three research projects on osteosarcoma. Contact the sample coordinator, Mitzi Lewellen, lewel001@umn.edu or 612-626-6890. (This info. came from the 4th Quarter GPCA Bulletin which has more extensive information.)
Canine Hereditary Cancer Consortium - http://www.tgen.org/research/canine-hcc-frm.cfmI met the director of this program and was very impressed. They have received funding from the NIH to collect 2000 canine samples for their studies. Their focus is on using research on canine cancer to inform our understanding of human cancer, but I believe the results will be useful for both species.
I hope this information in helpful. I also hope I never have to consider these donations, but I know I would feel better if my previous dogs' suffering could have been balanced by leaving a legacy toward cancer research.
Laurie
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