Mary
01-09-2009, 08:20 AM
The Truth About Dogs and Cats: Exposure to Animals and Risk of Lymphoma
Malignant lymphomas are of two types, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Hodgkin’s disease. The risk of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has been rising, and over 60,000 people will develop Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the United States this year. This is a life-threatening illness that requires treatment with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or biotherapy to achieve control and often cure of the disease. Exposure to radiation has been a known risk factor in lymphomas, as well as some occupational exposures.
Pet ownership in the United States is very high. About 40 percent of households own a dog, and one-third of those have 2 or more. In addition, 30 percent of households have at least 1 cat. If you yourself do not have a pet, it is likely that at least one of your family members does. So exposure to dogs and cats is common.
A recent article by Dr. G. Tranah of the University of California at San Francisco and his colleagues (Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention Volume 17, Page 2382, 2008) has given us some added insight into impact of pet ownership. Individuals who have owned dogs and/or cats had a 29 percent reduced risk of developing Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The longer the period of ownership, the less likely it was that lymphoma would be diagnosed.
In contrast, exposure to cattle for over five years was associated with an increased risk of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of 60 percent. Surprisingly, exposure to pigs increased the risk even more, with an 80 percent increase in the risk of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
These results are important for each of us to consider. First, the reduced risk of lymphoma in dog and/or cat owners has not been known before, and is a good effect in addition to the social benefits provided by pet ownership in families.
But the increased risk of lymphoma in people who are in contact with cows or pigs is worrisome. It means that if you have lived on a farm or have had pet cows or pigs, you should be concerned if you develop a swollen lymph gland, which usually is felt in the neck, under the jaw, in the armpit, or around the groin.
More on
http://www.healthnews.com/blogs/cary-presant/family-health/the-truth-about-dogs-cats-exposure-animals-risk-lymphoma-2365.html
Malignant lymphomas are of two types, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and Hodgkin’s disease. The risk of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has been rising, and over 60,000 people will develop Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the United States this year. This is a life-threatening illness that requires treatment with surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and/or biotherapy to achieve control and often cure of the disease. Exposure to radiation has been a known risk factor in lymphomas, as well as some occupational exposures.
Pet ownership in the United States is very high. About 40 percent of households own a dog, and one-third of those have 2 or more. In addition, 30 percent of households have at least 1 cat. If you yourself do not have a pet, it is likely that at least one of your family members does. So exposure to dogs and cats is common.
A recent article by Dr. G. Tranah of the University of California at San Francisco and his colleagues (Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention Volume 17, Page 2382, 2008) has given us some added insight into impact of pet ownership. Individuals who have owned dogs and/or cats had a 29 percent reduced risk of developing Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The longer the period of ownership, the less likely it was that lymphoma would be diagnosed.
In contrast, exposure to cattle for over five years was associated with an increased risk of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of 60 percent. Surprisingly, exposure to pigs increased the risk even more, with an 80 percent increase in the risk of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
These results are important for each of us to consider. First, the reduced risk of lymphoma in dog and/or cat owners has not been known before, and is a good effect in addition to the social benefits provided by pet ownership in families.
But the increased risk of lymphoma in people who are in contact with cows or pigs is worrisome. It means that if you have lived on a farm or have had pet cows or pigs, you should be concerned if you develop a swollen lymph gland, which usually is felt in the neck, under the jaw, in the armpit, or around the groin.
More on
http://www.healthnews.com/blogs/cary-presant/family-health/the-truth-about-dogs-cats-exposure-animals-risk-lymphoma-2365.html