Today, February 4, 2013 is World Cancer Day.  Cancer is the leading cause of death in golden retrievers.

English: Golden Retrievers posing for a photo at Affectionate Pet Care Dog Daycare (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There is currently a study underway to determine some of the factors that may cause cancer in our beloved breed.  The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study is “the largest and longest dog study to date” according to Dr. Rodney Page,  the study’s principal investigator, and a professor of veterinary oncology and the director of the Flint Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University.

Golden Retrievers Key to Longest, Largest Dog Cancer Study Ever Conducted

3000 Golden Retrievers under the age of 2 and in good health are being asked to participate in the study along with their veterinarian.  For more information visit Golden Retriever Lifetime Study

What are the signs of cancer in golden retrievers? Thank you to celebrity golden retriever and cancer advocate ParkerPup for this great picture:

I am not qualified to give veterinary advice, but common sense would be to visit your veterinarian any time your pet is not acting like him/herself as early detection is key.

I also wanted to share an article I found from Suzie Yacowicz called Preventing Canine Cancer in Golden Retriever Dogs

In honor of World Cancer Day, you can contribute to Canine Lifetime Health Project here.