Environmental exposure and cancer occurrence in dogs: a critical appraisal of evidence

Abstract

Cancer is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in humans and is also the leading cause of death in dogs. It is estimated that up to 20 % of human cancers can be explained by environmental exposures to carcinogens. It has been hypothesized that companion animals such as dogs could not only be a model for the complex pathogenic processes of human cancers, but also act as sentinels for environmental carcinogens due to their relative shorter longevity, spontaneous occurrence of tumours, and intimate relationship with our everyday environments. This review aimed to provide the epidemiological evidence on the role of the environment in the development and progression of tumours in the canine species.

Keywords: Cancer; Dogs; Environment; Risk factors.