21 Feb Cancer research helps humans and pets
Cancer is the number one cause of death for adult dogs and cats, according to Vail, a veterinary oncologist, UW Carbone Cancer Center researcher, and Barbara A. Suran Chair in Comparative Oncology at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine. Part of this increase is due to these companion animals living longer than in the past, as cancer risk rises with age.
“We see it all the time, and for some forms of cancer we don’t have a good standard of care,” Vail said. “I mean, at the end of the day I’m a veterinarian, and so I want to help my patients as well.”
Comparative oncology seeks to investigate cancer diagnostics, treatments and prevention in all species in hopes that new technologies and treatments can be developed faster and translated into both the veterinary care of companion animals as well as preliminary data that can inform human clinical trials. Read more…