Breast Cancer in Female Cats: Did You Know?

Anyone who knows me can figure out how much I love our furry kids. We have two cats (George and Gracie) and our dog, Einstein. I would do anything to protect them.

I am an animal lover but have always been particularly fascinated by cats. I like to educate myself on cats and feel like I know almost everything. This morning, I found out something new. Did you know that female cats can get breast cancer? It is the 3rd most common tumor in female cats. Read the Halo Pets article below to learn even more.

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Did you know that cats get breast cancer too? In fact, breast cancer is the third most common tumor in female cats. Since October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month—learn how to check yourself and your cat!

How do I check my cat for breast cancer?
In addition to a routine veterinary visit once or twice yearly, I recommend a monthly "whole body check"—from the tip of the nose to the tail and out to the ends of the toes! In addition to looking at your cat's eyes, ears, mouth, skin, and hair…make sure you get a good feel as well! Run your hands along her head, neck, back, sides, down the legs and under the belly to check for any lumps, masses, swellings or sore spots. While people have only two breasts and there is no trick to finding them, cats have many breasts (also called mammary glands), and they are found in two straight lines extending from the left and right armpit, down the chest and into the groin area.Feel for breast lumps while your cat is standing and then gently roll them over on their back so you can look at the area also. First, while they are standing, move your hands under their belly all the way up into their armpits. Then slowly move your hands back to their groin area (where their legs attach to their body). Many overweight cats have quite a "pooch" in this area and you may need to massage the skin and fatty tissue to detect any lumps or swellings.

What if I find a lump?
A lump can be very small or quite large. They may feel like a hard pea or be soft and squishy. They may have a broken (often called ulcerated) surface and may even ooze a little. If you feel or see any type of lump, contact your veterinarian immediately. Breast tumors have an 80-90% chance of being malignant in cats. Don't wait to see if the lump grows or changes from month to month….get it looked at right away. It is always best to detect and deal with breast cancer early for the best outcome.

What can I do to minimize my cat's risk of developing breast cancer?

Spay your cat!
The single most important thing you can do to is to spay your cat prior to their first heat cycle. Spaying has been well-documented to reduce the risk of breast cancer to miniscule numbers. For example, cats spayed prior to 6 months of age had a 91% reduction in the risk of developing malignant breast cancer when compared to unspayed female cats. If you have adopted or rescued a cat (and we hope you do!) and are unsure if they are spayed, your veterinarian can help you determine that. Many cats spayed later in life do not develop breast cancer…but you should be on the look-out with that monthly exam and notify your veterinarian if you find anything amiss.

Go Natural!
Choose a natural cat food that avoids the use of preservatives, artificial colors or other synthetic chemicals. Although there is no proven link to feline breast cancer specifically, many synthetic chemicals have been linked to serious human reproductive and other health problems.

Stay lean and fit!
Fat doesn't increase the risk of breast cancer per se, but extra pounds can certainly hide a lump. Keeping your cat at a healthy weight will help you detect not only breast lumps, but any unusual swelling or abnormality on your cat's body. Wellness exams and early detection are key to successful outcomes with most cancers or other medical conditions.