Is The Cause of Cancer Really Not Known?
ByConventional vets (and I count myself among this group) suggest that the cause of cancer is not known.
Well, this statement rests on a faulty premise, because there is no single cause of cancer. Cancer is the product of many separate steps that all must occur before the disease happens.
So of course the cause is not known, because of the use of the singular word “the”.
On a molecular level, you need certain changes in the DNA (genes). Then you need the body to not repair these changes, which is another separate problem.
Changes in DNA can result from:
- environmental toxins (which, yes, we are all constantly bombarded with in Western living),
- dietary substances in dog food and treats
- radiation (from the neighboring star, the Sun),
- viruses,
- having parent(s) with the DNA problem
- free radical excess in the body,
- errors in the cell replication process in the body
- altered pH
and more.
One the mutations occur in the DNA, you get errors in the genes that control the growth of cells. So gas pedals get stuck in the “on” position and brake pedals are stuck “off”.
At this point the immune system is supposed to catch the new abnormal cells. The often do, but sometimes not. When the immune system is unable to catch and destroy the developing cancer cells, cancer happens.
Immune suppression is caused by many things as well:
- a diet that has nothing to do with what a dog would eat in the wild
- improper sleep/wake cycles
- chronic stress
- depression/lack of stimulation/lack of healthy, self-esteem building activities
- lack of proper social network
- improper intake of certain fats
- obesity
- a high level of inflammation in the body
and more.
This info taken from research in test tubes, petri dishes, and living bodies.
As you can see, the cause of cancer is not known. The causes of cancer are, however. The ingredient is a fruit salad cannot be determined since fruit salads are, by definition, made of many fruits!
Dr Dressler
About the Author
Dr. Demian Dressler, DVM is known as the "dog cancer vet" and is author of Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Beyond Surgery, Chemotherapy & Radiation. Visit his blog and sign up free to get the latest information about canine cancer. Go to http://DogCancerBlog.com.
8 Comments
January 30th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
I don’t see anything on spleen cancer – my dog was just recently dx that has spread to his liver. He’s a 10 yr old Boxer/Dalmation mix. He has always been in good health. I’ve always fed him high end food/Canidae/Wellness etc. The vets who see him are always pleased with his teeth.
What should I do? Should I remove the speen and focus on the liver?
What do you recommend? I’m at a loss.
Your suggestions are greatly appreciated.
January 30th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Debra, we divide cancers by the type of cancer they are (like hemangiosarcoma, lymphosarcoma, etc). I am surprised your vet did not give you a recommendation from the conventional approach, or ?? Usually vets will not remove a tumor that has already spread unless it is causing a problem (like blood loss in the case of some tumors of the spleen). Usually chemo is considered, along with supplementation, nutrition, and so on. There is a lot for free on the blog postings about general cancer care here, and there is an e- book coming that goes into this stuff in detail.
I think you need to get more info from your vet to help clarify what is going on in your dog. Cancer type? Condition of spleen? And so on.
Best, D
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:18 am
I’ve just receive the ultrasound which states: Liver:the liver is slightly large w/multiple focal lesions are rounded margins. Gall bladder is clean. Kidneys:Normal. Spleen:There is a large tissue dense mass in the tail region & many other smaller masses in the body of the spleen. UrinaryBladder:WNL. AdrenalGlands:WNL. Pancreas:No significant findings. IntestinalTract:WNL Normal bowel layering and motility. Sorocal Surfaces:WNL. Cursory Heart:NSF. Interpretation:1.Liver masses DDX primary vs metastatic neoplasia 2.Spleen DDX HSA vs hematopoeitic neoplasia vs other neoplasia vs other (fungagranuloma vs regeneration). Neoplasia is suspected. Consider biopsy of liver/spleen vs palliative Rx. The prognosis is guarded.
February 8th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Debra, this is not a good report, as I hope you have discussed with your vet. The odds of a cancer in the spleen that has already spread is high, I am sorry to say. You should discuss a biopsy with your vet to ascertain the type of cancer. If not, you should start going with diet, supplements, immune support etc. after discussing with your vet.
D
February 9th, 2009 at 8:59 am
I have a 12 1/2 year old female fox terrier. She has a walnut size tumor on her right lung. Because of its location a biopsy is not availiable without surgery. Her blood tests do not indicate any type of cancer elsewhere in her body. How invasive is the surgery for this type of tumor, recovery time and is it worth putting my dog trough this at her age!
June 28th, 2009 at 1:05 am
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February 3rd, 2010 at 6:18 pm
I think that so many things can cause cancer that we can not pin-point how someone got it. The air we breath causes cancer, what we eat, the chemicals we clean with. Everything.
February 7th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Dear Reader,
I share this viewpoint in many ways. We live in civilization. Part and parcel of this choice and inevitability are the diseases of civilization. We are seeing the effects of modern society on our dogs as a reflection of ourselves on earth.
Thanks for your thoughts,
Dr D