Joining forces to create animal oncology centre

THE University of Pretoria’s (UP) faculty of veterinary science and the Southern Africa Animal Cancer Association (Saaca) have teamed up to create an oncology centre for clinical cases and research in animals.

At the end of last year, founder and chief executive of Saaca Munnik Marais approached the faculty with a proposal to join forces. Having spent many years fundraising for the Cancer Association of South Africa, Marais wanted to create awareness of cancer in animals and encourage treatment and research.

Dr Paolo Pazzi, section head of small animal medicine at UP, heads the research aspect of the oncology centre.

Most patients are cats and dogs with cancer.

“At the faculty, research in the field of oncology includes the investigation of a worm (Spirocerca) that can cause oesophageal cancer in dogs,” Pazzi explained.

Ongoing projects in the faculty include the investigation of blood and urine tests that can differentiate between localised cancer and cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

“Our aim at the oncology centre is to focus on common cancers, such as mammary cancers as well as various carcinomas and sarcomas,” said Pazzi. “Blood or urine tests will aid in the easier diagnosis and earlier treatment of cancers in animals. Other planned future studies will look at the role that certain blood cells play in the promotion or inhibition of cancer.”

To achieve this, the centre plans to employ more staff, enabling the faculty to accommodate more patients with cancer.

For more information or to donate, visit http://saaca.org.za/