For many pet owners, cancer is a looming specter that haunts everyday life. But for others, cancer isn’t even on their radar, despite the fact that roughly six million dogs and six million cats are diagnosed with the disease every year.
Unfortunately, both perspectives can keep pets from receiving the care they need, either because the pet owner is too afraid to ask about cancer or because they don’t know to ask.
Antech’s Director of Clinical Studies, Jennifer Willcox, DVM, DACVIM (oncology), is all too familiar with these perspectives and the need for better client education. In recognition of National Pet Cancer Awareness Month, we asked her to share what she wishes pet owners understood about cancer, the how and why of early detection, veterinary oncology resources for general practitioners, and what excites her about diagnostic tools Nu.Q® and CADET™ BRAF.
Please describe your path to veterinary oncology and to your role at Antech.
I’m originally from Ohio and obtained my DVM degree from Ohio State University. Subsequently, I did a small animal rotating internship where I found I enjoyed the relationships you’re able to build with oncology patients and clients and became intrigued by the science behind cancer development. This pushed me to pursue a medical oncology residency, which I completed at North Carolina State University. From there, I joined the faculty at UC Davis where I was able to share my passion for veterinary oncology with veterinary students, residents, and pet owners. And now, as the Director of Clinical Studies for Antech, I get to impact an even wider audience.
Why is National Pet Cancer Awareness Month so important, and what do you wish pet owners knew about cancer in pets?
When I told my family I was going to specialize in veterinary oncology, their initial response was one of confusion and surprise. “Dogs and cats can get cancer?” they puzzled. As my own family illustrates, pet owners are often unaware that their pets may be at risk for cancer, and this could affect decisions they’re making regarding their pet’s care.
Cancer is a scary and often emotional diagnosis with personal experience coloring pet owners’ perception of oncologic care. But while a cancer diagnosis can be serious and even life threatening, many tumor types are treatable. I would emphasize to pet owners that veterinary oncology focuses on balancing two things: extending the pet’s life while maintaining quality of life.
I would also love pet owners to know that regular physical examinations offer a great first-line opportunity to screen for cancer and that there are many detection options available. Any skin masses that are new or have changed in appearance should be sampled because cancer can look and feel like anything. And in the last few years, we’ve seen advances in using blood tests to indicate cancer risk.
Why is early cancer detection so important?
Many tumor types become increasingly difficult to treat over time as they become more advanced (i.e., increase in size, spread to other parts of the body), and this can affect the pet’s outcome. And while we’re still awaiting literature to define when and how impactful cancer blood tests will be, earlier detection and diagnosis of cancer may result in earlier treatment.
How have diagnostic and treatment options for pets evolved in the past 10 – 20 years, and where do you see them heading in the future?
For many pet owners, dogs have moved from workers to family members –– a lifestyle change that often coincides with a longer lifespan. And similar to people, cancer risk in pets increases with age, placing a greater importance on diagnosis and treatment options.
Broadly speaking, the basic treatment options –– surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy –– have been the mainstay for decades, but advances are constantly being sought after with occasional breakthroughs.
Cancer diagnostics have similarly remained a focus of investigative research, because earlier, more accurate diagnoses may lead to the delivery of earlier, more effective treatments. Pets can be very good at hiding illness, which may lead to a protracted clinical course prior to diagnosis.
Regarding the future, the hope is to identify minimally invasive cancer screening for pets that lead to more effective therapeutic options. Additionally, as we learn more about the pathogenesis of cancer formation, we may be able to identify meaningful interventions for preventing cancer.
How can general practitioners stay up to date on what’s happening in veterinary oncology year-round?
Continuing education is a great opportunity for veterinarians to learn more about the latest oncologic breakthroughs from diagnosis to treatment. Local oncologists are also a great resource to consult on individual cases and get expert advice in real-time. Finally, Withrow & MacEwen’s Small Animal Clinical Oncology is a fantastic book to have on hand at the clinic. Updated versions are released every couple of years to ensure the information is current.
FREE WEBINAR: Master Cancer Screening with Dr. Sue
Explore the latest in cancer screening and diagnostic innovations –– including Nu.Q® and CADET™ BRAF –– with Dr Sue Cancer Vet® during a free webinar on November 20, 2024.
What excites you about offering CADET™ BRAF?
Biopsy with histopathology is the gold standard for diagnosing cancer, but certain locations are more challenging to biopsy, such as tumors of the bladder. CADET™ BRAF offers clinicians a reliable and minimally invasive tool for diagnosing transitional cell carcinoma/urothelial carcinoma in dogs.
What excites you about offering Nu.Q® as an in-house test option on the Element i+™, and how do you envision general practitioners incorporating it into their daily workflow?
Nu.Q® provides general practitioners an option to offer dog owners beyond a physical exam at wellness visits1 to aid in screening for certain common cancer types, like lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma. *
Getting results while the patient and pet owner are still inside the clinic allows veterinarians to discuss additional exploratory diagnostics if Nu.Q® is elevated, which saves time and stress for pet owners.
Nu.Q® on the Element i+® — a powerful combination of speed, accuracy and affordability.
1. Nu.Q® on the Element i+™ is indicated for older dogs (≥7 years of age) and at-risk breeds starting at 4 years old.
*Nu.Q®️ is not a confirmatory test for cancer. Nu.Q®️ results should act as an impetus to perform additional diagnostics to obtain a diagnosis. Elevated plasma nucleosome concentration does not tell you which cancer is present, and further diagnostics will be needed. Certain inflammatory conditions may increase plasma nucleosome concentration and in these instances Nu.Q® cannot differentiate between cancer and an inflammatory response.
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