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Cancer

Cancers are a serious problem in the Bernese and a common cause of early death. Since 1990 the BMDCA and the Berner-Garde has sponsored studies of these diseases in our breed. The results are summarized below.

Running with Berners
Cancer
Histiocytosis
Hips & Elbows
Veterinary Glossary
Progressive Retinal Atrophy Report
Health Survey Report
Von Willebrand's Disease

Conclusions

Approximately 9.7% of Berners get cancer.
The average age at which cancer is diagnosed is 6.21 years; however, this varies widely.
The most common types of cancer found in Berners are:

histiocytosis (24.0% of cases): these tumors are inherited, but probably through the action of many genes (polygenic) acting together
mastocytoma: also inherited
lymphosarcoma: not inherited
fibrosarcoma: not inherited
osteosarcoma: no conclusions yet as to heritability.

Cancer Study

As part of our effort to understand cancers in the Bernese Mountain Dog, a tumor collection study is in place which collects and analyzes tissue samples from affected dogs. When a tumor is removed from your dog, ask your veterinarian to preserve the sample as described in the cancer study application form.

In addition The (GDC) has established a registry for histiocytosis and mastocytoma since these are known to be inherited.