Poor air quality linked to lung cancer in dogs

A new study has revealed that air pollution could be linked to cases of lung cancer in dogs, according to a report in Medical News Today.

Dr Giuliano Bettini, an associate professor at the University of Bologna in Italy, has previously claimed that his findings could be linked to similar health problems in humans.

In his most recent research, which was originally published in the Veterinary Journal, Dr Bettini investigated the links between the accumulation of black dust matter in lungs (anthracosis) and primary lung cancer in dogs.

Carried out retrospectively, the study examined lung tissue from 35 dogs with primary lung cancer and used 160 dogs as control subjects.

The scientists discovered that dogs with higher amounts of anthracosis were at more than double the risk of developing lung cancer.

Previous studies in humans have failed to establish a definite link between anthracosis and the development of lung cancer.

According to wrongdiagnosis.com, anthracosis is characterised by the accumulation of carbon in the lungs and is usually caused by the inhalation of coal dust or smoke.

Posted by Claire Manning