Launched in November 2005 by Veterinary Pet Insurance, its goal has been to raise awareness about cancer in pets. Cancer not only is a leading cause of death in people in the United States, but it also is the leading cause of death in cats.
According to the Animal Cancer Foundation, cats are 13 times more likely to develop cancer than humans. Cats develop many of the same types of cancers that afflict people, such as mammary cancers, lymphoma, leukemia and skin cancers. If detected early, cancer often can be more treatable than other geriatric diseases, such as renal disease, diabetes and cardiac disease. The key to fighting cancer is early diagnosis and treatment.