Musings on Cancer

[kaffe]

I lost my beloved Kaffe to stomach cancer a couple of weeks ago.  I have been musing as to how it could have possibly happened.  I think it would be a great help to all of us if we researched on possiblecauses or contributives to cancer development in cats and dogs.  My first stop was to check the short articles of the Cancer Institute on possible risk factors.  Of interest to me are the following, becuase they may be contributors to why Kaffe developed an aggressive tummy cancer.

(1)  H. pylori and Cancer: Fact Sheet

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/HPylori

Infection with H. pylori is the most important risk factor for gastric cancer. Other risk factors include chronic gastritis (inflammation of the stomach); older age; being male; a diet high in salted, smoked, or poorly preserved foods and low in fruits and vegetables; certain types of anemia; smoking cigarettes; and a family history of stomach cancers.
...
Nearly all patients with gastric MALT lymphoma are infected with H. pylori, and the risk of developing this tumor is over six times higher in infected people than in uninfected people (9). Furthermore, up to 80 percent of patients with gastric MALT lymphoma achieve complete remission of their tumors after treatment with H. pylori-eradicating antibiotic therapy (2).

(2)  Heterocyclic Amines in Cooked Meats
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/heterocyclic-amines

Research has shown that cooking certain meats at high temperatures creates chemicals that are not present in uncooked meats. A few of these chemicals may increase cancer risk. For example, heterocyclic amines (HCAs) are the carcinogenic chemicals formed from the cooking of muscle meats such as beef, pork, fowl, and fish. HCAs form when amino acids (the building blocks of proteins) and creatine (a chemical found in muscles) react at high cooking temperatures. Researchers have identified 17 different HCAs resulting from the cooking of muscle meats that may pose human cancer risk.
...
... Frying, broiling, and barbecuing produce the largest amounts of HCAs because the meats are cooked at very high temperatures...
Recent studies have further evaluated the relationship associated with methods of cooking meat and the development of specific types of cancer. One study conducted by researchers from NCI's Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics found a link between individuals with stomach cancer and the consumption of cooked meats... They also found that people who ate beef four or more times a week had more than twice the risk of stomach cancer than those consuming beef less frequently. Additional studies have shown that an increased risk of developing colorectal, pancreatic, and breast cancer is associated with high intakes of well-done, fried, or barbequed meats.
...
... Meats that are partially cooked in the microwave oven before cooking by other methods also have lower levels of HCAs.

(3)   Psychological Stress and Cancer: Questions and Answers
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/stress

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The last article on stress as a big contributing factor in the growth of tumors and cancers is I believe what pushed my sweetheart over the edge. 

We shoudl have a topic on minimizing stress for our pets!

[robfdavis1971]

The information on the overcooking of meats is alarming....considering how most pet food is cooked to death. I wonder if there are these cancer risks even in food that doesn't have chemical preservatives or melamine in it due to the heating of the meat....

[Bonkers]

  H Pylori is the bacteria often associated with stomach ulcers. Besides refraining from the previous items listed, it is often wise to supplement ones diet with probiotics and digestive enzymes. I believe I have read somewhere that BBQ'ing meat with charcoal causes a higher level of  HCA's than if using a gas grill, but is wise to grill at a lower temperature. It would be very interesting to know at what temperature various pet foods are cooked.

[kaffe]

The information on the overcooking of meats is alarming....considering how most pet food is cooked to death. I wonder if there are these cancer risks even in food that doesn't have chemical preservatives or melamine in it due to the heating of the meat....

My question precisely!  I beleive that petfood - both canned and dry - have to be cooked at very high temps to eradicate salmonella etc and in order to meet FDA standards.  Hmmm... I think I'll check on that soon.

[Perseus]

Kaffe, I agree with Robert about how horrible the food is after it's so over cooked in the normal commercial food preparation.  Along these same lines of thinking, I have seen many exceptional articles about how a raw food diet prevents cancer in cats and dogs.  I will research these links and post them.

[kaffe]

Kaffe, I agree with Robert about how horrible the food is after it's so over cooked in the normal commercial food preparation.  Along these same lines of thinking, I have seen many exceptional articles about how a raw food diet prevents cancer in cats and dogs.  I will research these links and post them.

yes - I couldn't help thinking that feeding Kaffe raw food the last year of his earthly life may have actually put him in remission - all without my knowing at the time (the vet told me that Kaffe may have had the tumor-cancer) for quiete a while before symptoms appeared).  Looking back, before the 2007 recall and before I put Kaffe on raw, he had on and off soft really foul smelling poopies covered in mucus which disappeared after his transition to raw food.  There was also a full 3 weeks in May 2007 when Kaffe had a mysterious "funk" --- was feverish, slept a lot, behaved stressed out and had major hyperesthesia to boot.  Before raw food and before I knew any better, Kaffe ate Friskies and 9-Lives tuna whch he loved for around 3 years... and he had really stinky poopies.  I feel sad that I did not make the connection and that I did not embark on home-made earlier!  One thing good for me that the 2007 recall did was it forced me to research and learn about proper feline nutrition!

[kaffe]

  H Pylori is the bacteria often associated with stomach ulcers. Besides refraining from the previous items listed, it is often wise to supplement ones diet with probiotics and digestive enzymes. I believe I have read somewhere that BBQ'ing meat with charcoal causes a higher level of  HCA's than if using a gas grill, but is wise to grill at a lower temperature. It would be very interesting to know at what temperature various pet foods are cooked.

That's absolutely right about H. pylori being the culprit behind tummy ulcers, Bonkers!  But I didn't know that enzymes and probiotics helped in keeping these nasties at bay!

[GreyGhost]

I read an article a long time ago that about 80% of ulcer cases in humans are due to H Pylori. To think most people running around with ulcers have no idea. I was actually surprised when my doctor ordered the test for H pylori when I was having some stomach issues. I must say for once I was impressed.

So here is my story:

3 years ago Misty was making what looked and sounded like gagging noises off and on for about about a month. Not too frequent so i figured it wasn't anything. It started to come more frequently so I took her to work with me. We did a full blood work up and UA. Nothing there. All was perfect. So we did chest radiographs. All fine. Ultrasound, perfect. Ok so whats wrong. Did a barium radiographs of chest and stomach. Everything was fine. So, here I am knowing something is wrong. So I called Doc (Misty's Holistic Vet). I should have called him first. He answered the phone I told him what was going on and he muscle tested and said she had helicobacter bacteria and put her on antibiotics for 14 days. I did and she was fine all symptoms stopped and we have not had a problem since.  One thing to point out is that the only way to get rid of H pylori is antibiotics, sometimes long term, and sometimes up to three at a time. Depending on the patient. Heres a great article about it:

http://www.vin.com/proceedings/Proceedings.plx?CID=WSAVA2006&PID=15822&O=Generic

Also remember you should also be tested since it can be zoonotic. You can get from your pet. I just took antibiotics since I had an infected tooth but I had hubby and Mom tested.

[kaffe]

Wow, that's really interesting, GreyGhost!  The first time I ave heard of H. Pylori was from Maincoonpeg's posts about her cat Rufus' mystery ailments.  Kaffe's vet put him on Flagyl and Amox for 3 weeks to treat H. Pylori infestation - although we did not actually test for it.  The vet said that almost all cats have H. Pylori and if there is a GI bleed, then it is even more of a certainty.  Unfortunately, Kaffe could not tolerate the Flagyl pills.  I was about to try the ear gel version when events just overtook us - it was so fast.  As soon as I am able, I am thinking of getting Cato tested for H. pylori ad treated if positive for it!

[Bonkers]

    Most Holistic practioners believe that if the correct intestional flora is maintained, that many diseases and/or illnesses that effect the body will be kept at bay. My DH suffered from 3 ulcers within a two year period. Since taking probiotics on a daily basis he has not had any reoccurances. This is a good article on probiotics from The National Dairy Council. http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org/NationalDairyCouncil/Health/Digest/dcd76-1Page3.htm

[Bonkers]

Wow, that's really interesting, GreyGhost!  The first time I ave heard of H. Pylori was from Maincoonpeg's posts about her cat Rufus' mystery ailments.  Kaffe's vet put him on Flagyl and Amox for 3 weeks to treat H. Pylori infestation - although we did not actually test for it.  The vet said that almost all cats have H. Pylori and if there is a GI bleed, then it is even more of a certainty.  Unfortunately, Kaffe could not tolerate the Flagyl pills.  I was about to try the ear gel version when events just overtook us - it was so fast.  As soon as I am able, I am thinking of getting Cato tested for H. pylori ad treated if positive for it!

  Kaffe, I am curious as to why you want to have Cato tested? Is he experiencing some  problems?

[GreyGhost]

    Most Holistic practioners believe that if the correct intestional flora is maintained, that many diseases and/or illnesses that effect the body will be kept at bay. My DH suffered from 3 ulcers within a two year period. Since taking probiotics on a daily basis he has not had any reoccurances. This is a good article on probiotics from The National Dairy Council. http://www.nationaldairycouncil.org/NationalDairyCouncil/Health/Digest/dcd76-1Page3.htm

You are right. It works with humans too. If you keep the GI system healthy the bad guys can't take over. Since Misty is on N.V. Raw I haven't had to supplement since raw has all the good stuff naturally. So far so good.

[GreyGhost]

Wow, that's really interesting, GreyGhost!  The first time I ave heard of H. Pylori was from Maincoonpeg's posts about her cat Rufus' mystery ailments.  Kaffe's vet put him on Flagyl and Amox for 3 weeks to treat H. Pylori infestation - although we did not actually test for it.  The vet said that almost all cats have H. Pylori and if there is a GI bleed, then it is even more of a certainty.  Unfortunately, Kaffe could not tolerate the Flagyl pills.  I was about to try the ear gel version when events just overtook us - it was so fast.  As soon as I am able, I am thinking of getting Cato tested for H. pylori ad treated if positive for it!

When Misty got helicobacter, that was first I ever heard of it. So of course being me I researched it to no end. I personally think that any digestive issues that go on for a while should be tested or just given the antibiotics. We didn't do a "formal" test. Since Doc uses muscle testing and can do it remotely. But we did the antibiotics, pepcid, and probiotics and after that she tested fine and we have not had any GI issues at all.

Since it is zoonotic it would be a good idea to have Cato tested. Thats why Mom and hubby were tested and I just took antibiotics. It can spread to animals and humans.

[Perseus]

Here's a website I've referred to often about the advantages of feeding a raw diet:

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/animals.htm

Quite a few well known vets are quoted, along with good info on enzymes that are lacking in processed foods, along with good info for humans, too!

Check back often on this site as it's continually updated.

[kaffe]

Wow, that's really interesting, GreyGhost!  The first time I ave heard of H. Pylori was from Maincoonpeg's posts about her cat Rufus' mystery ailments.  Kaffe's vet put him on Flagyl and Amox for 3 weeks to treat H. Pylori infestation - although we did not actually test for it.  The vet said that almost all cats have H. Pylori and if there is a GI bleed, then it is even more of a certainty.  Unfortunately, Kaffe could not tolerate the Flagyl pills.  I was about to try the ear gel version when events just overtook us - it was so fast.  As soon as I am able, I am thinking of getting Cato tested for H. pylori ad treated if positive for it!

  Kaffe, I am curious as to why you want to have Cato tested? Is he experiencing some  problems?

No - fortunately Cato seems as healthy as can be... but as GreyGhost said, H. Pylori is very transferable and so, I can't help thinking that Cato may have it by now... but there is no rush... I should get him on a good probiotics at any rate.