22 Aug Survey shines light on impacts of canine cancer on both pet and owner
Take C.H.A.R.G.E. of Canine Cancer Survey displays how detrimental this disease is to dogs and their owner’s well-being
Gallup recently joined forces with Jaguar Health and the Take C.H.A.R.G.E. (Canine Health And Registry Exchange) coalition to help gain further insight into an under researched problem, the effects of canine cancer on both pets and their owners. Thus, Gallup conducted the first large-scale nationally representative study—The Take C.H.A.R.G.E Canine Cancer Survey—to understand US pet owners’ experiences with canine cancer.
Preliminary evidence from the Take C.H.A.R.G.E. survey revealed that while the prevalence of canine cancer in 2021 (number of total cases) may be slightly lower than for humans (3.4% vs about 5%, respectively), the incidence (number of new cases that year) may be higher (2.8% vs. 0.6%).1 This displays just how rampant this disease is in dogs and how frequently it is affecting them and, ultimately, their owners alike.
This time around, the research focused on the extent of canine cancer, discovering that 30 million Americans had a dog experience cancer in the last 10 years.2 The recent survey also shed light on the impacts of canine cancer on dogs and their owners, the decisions dog owners make regarding the pet’s health and cancer treatment, and areas where enhancements can be made to care and support.
“Often we think about human cancer as we should. And we don’t realize how many families are affected by canine cancer . . . it has serious implications for their well-being [and] for their family, and the decisions that they’re going to have to make for their dog,” stated Ellyn Maese, PhD, MS, senior research consultant at Gallup, in an interview with dvm360®. “So that’s where Gallup comes in, and partners with Take C.H.A.R.G.E to be able to provide that rich data to tell this story.”