Cancer Aid for Animals
A modernised centre for animals suffering from cancer will open in Suffolk. Working with the Animal Health Trust, the centre will treat horses, dogs and cats. With this experience, they aim to further their knowledge and understanding of cancer not just for animals, but also, for us.
In terms of pets, cancer is the most common cause of death in dogs and second most common cause in cats. The exciting new AHT centre will provide all three treatment options on site such as; surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The centre's treatments of various animals with all types of the disease, will provide great research for scientists to expand knowledge of cancer in both animals and humans. Such experience can eventually help scientists develop new ways to both diagnose and treat variations of cancer.
The AHT already have a stable working relationship with various cancer scientists, and are thus aware of the many links between animal and human cancers. Consequently, they are extremely hopeful that their project can aid both human and animal cancers and with no expense to animal welfare, unlike that of laboratory testing.
Sue Murphy, (Royal College Recognised Specialist in Small Oncology) echoed such sentiments:
“This new centre will give more animals a fighting chance of beating the disease, enabling them to lead long and healthy lives. The fact that treatments developed to benefit our pets may also lead to improvements in the prevention and treatment of cancer in humans makes this centre all the more important.”
The Cancer Centre aims to be fully open in the summer of 2012, this is to ensure all it's state of the art equipment is safe and in working condition. In order to really be able to make a difference to cancer suffering animals, the centre is seeking a linear accelerator. AHT will soon be appealing for funds for this specialist bit of kit. It works by delivering high energy radiation beams to break down cancerous tumours, whilst saving any normal tissue.
If you wish to make a donation to this potentially ground breaking centre, then you can visit www.aht.org.uk or telephone 01638 555648
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
