Establishing a canine cancer registry to improve disease prevention and care

The cancer therapeutics market for animals is undergoing rapid expansion with annual spending now exceeding $350 million. This growth is driven by consumer demand, increased animal lifespans and expansion of pedigree breeding. Cancer registries help identify factors that influence the health and wellbeing of companion and working animals by enabling the identification of
common risk factors and clinical diagnostic tests.

This cancer registry, the first of its kind in Scotland, is a collaboration involving the Scottish Rural College, the University of the Highlands and Islands, Scottish
Veterinary Referrals and VPG Histology. The project will collect veterinary data and samples including DNA, tissue and bodily fluids, to help identify trends in canine cancer incidence, geographic distribution and survival. Veterinary practices across Scotland will be encouraged to participate and share data of animals under their care.

Potential impacts and outcomes
Establishing this cancer registry will provide an important evidence base that could be used to improve care and to drive cancer prevention. Animal cancer registries have also been used to inform and influence human health and wellbeing, by helping to identify common risk factors and shared early warning signs.
Objectives
- Establish feasibility for collection and submission of data to a canine cancer registry.
- Coordinate the practicalities of large electronic dataset handling and data security.
- Provide guidance regarding the collection, storage and analysis of veterinary samples and data.