New Cancer Treatment Centre Could Help Thousands of Dogs

Many pets diagnosed with cancer will now receive improved treatment, thanks to the opening of an enhanced cancer treatment facility at the University of Cambridge.

The Queen’s Veterinary School Hospital at the University is opening an extension of its Cancer Therapy Unit on Thursday, 09 October. The extension houses a modern linear accelerator that will improve the lives of countless pets afflicted by cancer.

Cambridge is currently one of only three centres in England that can offer radiotherapy to animal patients, and the only one in Europe that can treat horses and larger animals. The new linear accelerator is identical to those used in human cancer treatment centres. It replaces the original machine acquired second-hand from the NHS in 1991 when the Veterinary School opened the first Cancer Treatment Unit for animals in Europe.

Fundraising for the new unit continues as the final demise of the original linear accelerator forced the Cancer Therapy Unit to open the facility earlier than expected. Funds are still desperately needed to cover the costs of the building work and the life-saving equipment. With no government funding the Hospital is reliant upon donations to maintain its position at the forefront of veterinary treatment, education and research.

The Veterinary School’s linear accelerator treats over 20 animals every week by directing radiation created by fast-moving particles at the cancerous tumours. Radiotherapy is implemented in cases where, due to the location or extent of the tumour, surgery alone would not be effective in removing the cancer.

Francis and Susan, the owners of Edward (an Airedale) said, “A big thank you for giving our old boy more time and a better quality of life!”

As many as one in four dogs and 1 in 8 cats are affected by cancer, and it is the leading cause of death in dogs in the UK. The Cancer Therapy Unit has helped over 6,000 animals since its inception, and the new accelerator boasts more powerful doses of radiation along with increased accuracy to provide more effective treatment.

“The new linear accelerator will enable us to continue to provide the very best treatment and clinical care for our patients,” says Dr Jane Dobson (Reader in Veterinary Oncology).

His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent GCVO cut the ribbon following an address by Professor Sir Bruce Ponder FRS, Director of the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Cancer Institute. This represents the first phase of an exciting initiative to develop a Comparative Oncology Programme within the University.

The Cancer Therapy Unit doesn’t just help animals, however. The Comparative Oncology Programme will be working in collaboration with the recently opened Cancer Research UK Cambridge Research Institute studying cancer in pet animals; this knowledge will not only benefit pets but can be translated to help human patients too.

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