Decoding Cancer Patterns in Companion Animals Through Integrated Data, Environmental Risks, and Epidemiological Analysis

Understanding cancer in companion animals is an evolving area at the intersection of veterinary medicine, epidemiology, and environmental health. Despite cancer being one of the leading causes of mortality in dogs and cats, our ability to analyze trends and identify risk factors across geographic regions, breeds, and lifestyles is limited compared to advances in human oncology. Companion animals live in close proximity to humans, sharing similar exposures to household and environmental chemicals, diet, sedentary behaviors, and indoor environments. Recent studies highlight that not only are pets susceptible to the same environmental carcinogens as people, but they also serve as important sentinels, reflecting broader environmental risks. However, inconsistencies in data collection, lack of harmonized registries, and limited integration of environmental and clinical data pose ongoing challenges in discovering robust patterns and effective prevention strategies.This Research Topic aims to synthesize and expand current knowledge by systematically investigating cancer patterns in companion animals through the integration of clinical, epidemiological, and environmental data. The objective is to identify and characterize cancer trends, environmental and household contributors, and to develop robust risk prediction models that can inform both veterinary practice and broader public health. Central questions include the identification of rising or clustered cancers by demographic and lifestyle factors, elucidation of key environmental exposures, best practices for harmonizing diverse data sources, and the design of effective prevention and early detection strategies that translate across veterinary clinics and populations.The scope of this Research Topic is defined by a commitment to multi-source, population-aware analyses that move beyond single-institution case series. We will prioritize submissions that leverage integrated datasets and advanced analytics to address the complexity of cancer epidemiology in companion animals. To gather further insights in veterinary cancer patterns and risks, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Cancer surveillance and registry development in veterinary populations- Geospatial analysis and environmental epidemiology of cancer hotspots- Investigation of household and lifestyle risk factors- Genetic, breed-related, and gene–environment interactions- Application of data science and predictive modeling for cancer risk and prognosis- Comparative oncology and One Health perspectives, including cross-species and ethical dimensionsArticle Types Encouraged: Original Research, Methods, Systematic Reviews/Meta-analyses, Brief Research Reports, Hypothesis & Theory/Perspectives, Data Reports Topic editors: Chiara Palmieri, Marian A Taulescu, Orlando Paciello Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78420/decoding-cancer-patterns-in-companion-animals-through-integrated-data-environmental-risks-and-epidemiological-analysis