Cats and dogs to protect against cancer of the lymphatic system

Owners of dogs and cats up to 30% less likely to be diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma - a cancer of the lymphatic system versions. This is the result, the American scientists on the research results of more than four thousand people. Scientists at the University of California (San Francisco) and the Stanford University surveyed 1,600 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and 2,500 healthy individuals of the presence in their house cat or dog. It was found that the risk of lymphoma in pet owner has been reduced by a third. Moreover, the degree of protection against cancer increased with increasing duration of their stay in the family pet. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma usually develops in people over 65 years. The exact cause of the disease is unknown, but one theory contribute to their development as "sterile" accommodation. The protective effect of dogs and cats may be due to exposure to allergens, stimulate the immune system and the "fuel" anti-cancer defense, the scientists believe. A full report on the study was published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention.