Cats Might Hold the Key to Understanding Breast Cancer

By Danial Martinus • 24 Feb 2026 in News

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Cats have long run Malaysian homes with quiet authority. According to the Malaysia’s Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), there are more than 4 million pet cats in Malaysia, making them one of the country’s most popular companions, far outnumbering dogs.

They nap on our sofas, patrol our kitchens, and now, they might also help us better understand breast cancer.

Feline cancer is very similar to human cancer

In a new study led by scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute in Cambridge, the first detailed genetic map of cancer in cats has been produced.

By analysing tumour DNA from nearly 500 cats and examining close to 1,000 cancer-linked genes across 13 tumour types, researchers noticed that the natural processes that lead to cancer in cats are also found in humans.

This new genetic blueprint suggests that when a cat develops cancer, especially aggressive forms, the biological machinery at work is very, very similar to that of humans.

One particular subtype that’s drawing attention is triple-negative breast cancer, which is notoriously difficult to treat, accounting for approximately 10% to 15% of breast cancer cases in Malaysia.

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women in Malaysia, with the National Cancer Registry reporting that 1 in 9 Malaysian women are at risk in their lifetime. Triple-negative cases are especially challenging because they lack the receptors that many targeted therapies rely on.

The possible link to cats

At this point, you’re probably wondering where cats come in the equation. Well, our feline friends also experience a similar mammary cancer, but more frequently than humans do. And much like humans, this type of cancer occurs spontaneously.

There could be a link here, since our pet cats also share our environment. They breathe the same air, lounge on the same furniture, and are exposed to the same household chemicals.

(source: Kate Stone Matheson / Unsplash)

If certain environmental factors influence cancer risk, cats may be able to act as early indicators. Studying them could reveal how our surroundings shape cancer development, in both humans and cats.

The findings are pretty eye-opening, since the research forces us to view pet health and human health as intertwined, not separate.

To read the full study, click here.