We know that the incidence of breast cancer in women goes up dramatically starting at around age 55, so screening with mammograms is recommended when the disease might have developed but before there are any outward signs — starting no later than age 50 and perhaps even as young as 40. It’s the same when it comes to screening men for prostate cancer. The average age of diagnosis is 66, and screening with a PSA test is recommended starting no later than age 55. Screening for other cancers, such as colon cancer, is also recommended before someone is likely to start feeling different or showing signs of the disease. Could such an approach be used for dogs so that canine cancer is caught as early as possible, with the best chance for treatment that could save an animal’s life?
