Science News - First Cancer Prevention Study for Dogs

In the first clinical trial of its kind, researchers will investigate whether dietary antioxidant supplementation can decrease the likelihood of canine bone cancer. 

Scientists will study hundreds of cancer-free adult Rottweilers, which will be divided into groups receiving supplements and those receiving placebos. The nationwide study, under the direction of the Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation, will follow these dogs over the course of the next eight years.

While the majority of studies focus on treatment, this study concentrates on the prevention of cancerous tumor formation. The prevention study will seek to determine whether a potent antioxidant mix can enhance the body’s defenses against oxidative stress. Researchers theorize that bolstering cellular defenses could reduce the risk of cancer and/or improve longevity, not only for dogs but for humans as well.