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Lymphoma Risk In Cats More Than Doubles If Owner Smokes

Cats living in homes where people smoke cigarettes are more than twice as likely as other cats to acquire a deadly cancer, lymphoma, according to a study published in the August issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology.

Researchers have shown an increase of certain types of cancer in dogs if their owners smoke, but the new study is the first to provide evidence of this effect in cats.

"Smoke has devastating consequences for cats," said Dr. Antony S. Moore, who was involved in the study and is director of Tufts University's Harrington Oncology Program. Board-certified by the Specialty of Oncology, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, he says that cats may inhale secondhand smoke or ingest particulate matter from their fur when they groom themselves.

Lymphoma is the most common cancer in cats. Only feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus are known to play a role in causing the disease.

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Stopping smoking could save cats' lives
A vet hopes people will be persuaded to stop smoking to prevent their cats from getting cancer.

Dr Antony Moore from Tufts University in Massachusetts says living in a house with smokers considerably increases a cat's risk of getting feline lymphoma.

The cancer kills three quarters of its victims within a year.

Mr Moore hopes new research linking second-hand smoke exposure to the most common kind of feline cancer will encourage some people to kick the habit.

RESUMIENDO: En cuanto los gatos, aquellos cuyos propietarios fuman tienen el triple de posibilidades de desarrollar linfoma.