OncoK9 Cancer SAFE™
(Screening Age For Early detection) Tool
Provide your dog's information below to find out the recommended age to start screening your dog for cancer.
DISCLAIMERS & LIMITATIONS
By using this tool, you agree to the following Disclaimers and Limitations and to the PetDx Website Terms of Use and the PetDx Privacy Policy.
The OncoK9 Cancer SAFE™ (Screening Age For Early detection) Tool is intended for use in adult dogs one year of age and older. This tool is meant to assist in determining an appropriate age to start cancer screening in a dog without clinical signs of cancer (i.e., not currently suspected of having cancer). The decision to pursue screening for cancer is a personal one and should be made in consultation with a veterinarian. You may choose to start cancer screening prior to the recommended age, at your discretion and in consultation with your veterinarian. PetDx does not assume any responsibility for any actions taken based on the recommendations provided by this tool. Use of the OncoK9 Cancer SAFE tool is for educational purposes only; any information derived from using the tool should not be considered as a guarantee of any particular health risk or clinical outcome for your dog. PetDx does not assume any liability for recommendations or outcomes related to use of the OncoK9 Cancer SAFE tool.
The OncoK9 Cancer SAFE Tool is not intended to be used for dogs in which cancer is currently suspected, including but not limited to dogs with: abnormal or rapidly growing masses, sores that do not heal, loss of appetite/unexplained weight loss, bleeding/discharge, difficulty eating/swallowing/breathing, lameness, or difficulty urinating/defecating.8 If your dog is exhibiting any of these clinical signs, please consult your veterinarian.
The OncoK9 Cancer SAFE tool was developed using a large cohort of dogs representing a wide range of breeds and cancer types.1 However, certain limitations must be acknowledged.
For the list of pure breeds available for selection in the tool, the recommended screening age was derived from a cohort of at least 10 cancer-diagnosed subjects belonging to each breed; it is unclear whether this is a sufficient number of subjects per breed for providing an accurate breed-based recommendation for when to start screening.
With regard to the geographical distribution of subjects, it is estimated that over 95% of dogs in this study were from the United States. This factor may limit the generalizability of the study findings to other countries where different environmental characteristics, spay-neuter practices, breed distributions, or other considerations may play a role in cancer development.
Further limitations of the clinical study that provided the scientific foundation for this tool can be found at: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280795
To review OncoK9 test limitations and risks, please visit: oncok9.info/test-limitations-risks.
6 Million New Cancer Cases Per Year in Dogs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cancer screening?
Cancer screening refers to one or more exams or tests performed on a dog who does not currently have any signs of cancer, but who does have a higher risk of cancer due to their age and/or breed.2
What are the benefits of early detection through screening?
Early detection and treatment are the best ways to manage cancer in pets. Cancer is frequently treatable and early diagnosis will aid your veterinarian in delivering the best care possible.5
What are the current guidelines for cancer screening in dogs?
Screening guidelines are well established in human medicine for various cancer types3,4, and multiple veterinary organizations recognize the value of early cancer detection.5-8 General health screening recommendations include annual or biannual exams and routine labwork9 which may detect some cancer types. However, formal cancer screening guidelines have not yet been established in veterinary medicine.
How is the screening age recommendation determined?
Using data from over 3,000 dogs diagnosed with cancer, the typical age at cancer diagnosis was determined for dogs of various breeds and weights. Initiation of cancer screening is recommended prior to the typical age at diagnosis in order to detect cancer earlier, when the chances of effective treatment are better. This tool suggests an age to begin cancer screening for individual dogs based on the breed and/or weight details provided.
View the study that provides the scientific foundation for the OncoK9 Cancer SAFE™ recommendations.
Why is my dog’s breed not listed?
For some breeds, there were not enough dogs in the study to determine a recommended screening age at this time. PetDx is actively collecting more data and plans to update the OncoK9 Cancer SAFE breed list in the future. In the meantime, if your dog’s breed is not listed, the OncoK9 Cancer SAFE tool will provide a recommended screening age based on your dog’s weight.
How do I use the OncoK9 Cancer SAFE recommendation?
PetDx aims to increase awareness among pet parents about canine cancer and about the importance of early detection. You can share this cancer screening recommendation with your veterinarian, who will advise you on the best course of action for your dog. The OncoK9 Cancer SAFE Tool is provided for educational purposes only, and does not replace the expertise and recommendations of your veterinarian.
Cancer screening refers to one or more exams or tests performed on a dog who does not currently have any signs of cancer, but who does have a higher risk of cancer due to their age and/or breed.2
Screening guidelines are well established in human medicine for various cancer types3,4, and multiple veterinary organizations recognize the value of early cancer detection.5-8 General health screening recommendations include annual or biannual exams and routine labwork9 which may detect some cancer types. However, formal cancer screening guidelines have not yet been established in veterinary medicine.
For some breeds, there were not enough dogs in the study to determine a recommended screening age at this time. PetDx is actively collecting more data and plans to update the OncoK9 Cancer SAFE breed list in the future. In the meantime, if your dog’s breed is not listed, the OncoK9 Cancer SAFE tool will provide a recommended screening age based on your dog’s weight.
Early detection and treatment are the best ways to manage cancer in pets. Cancer is frequently treatable and early diagnosis will aid your veterinarian in delivering the best care possible.5
Using data from over 3,000 dogs diagnosed with cancer, the age at cancer diagnosis was determined for dogs of various breeds and weights. Initiation of cancer screening is recommended prior to the typical age at diagnosis in order to detect cancer earlier, when outcomes may be better. This tool suggests an age to begin cancer screening for individual dogs based on the breed and/or weight details provided.
View the study that provides the scientific foundation for the OncoK9 Cancer SAFE™ recommendations.
PetDx aims to increase awareness among pet parents about canine cancer and about the importance of early detection. You can share this cancer screening recommendation with your veterinarian, and they will advise you on the best course of action for your dog. The OncoK9 Cancer SAFE Tool is provided for educational purposes only, and does not replace the expertise and recommendations of your veterinarian.
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- Rafalko JM, Kruglyak KM, McCleary-Wheeler AL, Goyal V, Phelps-Dunn A, Wong LK, et al. (2023) Age at cancer diagnosis by breed, weight, sex, and cancer type in a cohort of more than 3,000 dogs: Determining the optimal age to initiate cancer screening in canine patients. PLoS ONE 18(2): e0280795. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0280795
- Flory A, Kruglyak KM, Tynan JA, et al. Clinical validation of a next-generation sequencing-based multi-cancer early detection “liquid biopsy” blood test in over 1,000 dogs using an independent testing set: The CANcer Detection in Dogs (CANDiD) study. 2022. PLOS ONE. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0266623
- American Cancer Society. American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Early Detection of Cancer. Accessed April 4, 2022. https://www.cancer.org/healthy/find-cancer-early/american-cancer-society-guidelines-for-the-early-detection-of-cancer.html
- World Health Organization. Guide to Cancer Early Diagnosis. Accessed April 4, 2022. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/254500
- American Veterinary Medical Association. Cancer in pets. Accessed March 28, 2022. https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/cancer-pets
- American Animal Hospital Association. Is my dog at risk for cancer? Accessed March 28, 2022. https://www.aaha.org/your-pet/pet-owner-education/ask-aaha/canine-cancer/
- American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation. Cancer in the dog. Accessed March 28, 2022. https://www.akcchf.org/canine-health/top-health-concerns/canine-cancer/cancer-in-the-dog.html
- Animal Cancer Foundation. 10 Warning signs of cancer. Accessed March 28, 2022. https://acfoundation.org/the-10-warning-signs-of-cancer/
- Creevy KE, Grady J, Little SE, Moore GE, Strickler BG, Thompson S, Webb JA. 2019 AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2019 Nov/Dec;55(6):267-290
