Woman and Her Dog Both Battled Breast Cancer Years Apart — Both Are Now Cancer-Free
An England woman and her dog are bonded for life after both being diagnosed with the same type of cancer years apart — and both undergoing mastectomies.
Vickie Doogan, 52, and her dog, Dolly, a poochon, became extremely close when Doogan received her second cancer diagnosis. Their bond deepened in an unexpected way when Dolly was diagnosed with cancer herself and needed the same surgery her owner had already been through.
Doogan was first diagnosed with breast cancer at age 39 after experiencing a dull pain and a lump under her arm. Doctors diagnosed her with invasive breast cancer that had spread.
Inside Vickie Doogan’s Cancer Journey
Doogan was told she was cancer-free after undergoing treatment. She had a new outlook on life.
“I was the fittest and healthiest I’d ever been, and I was really looking forward to turning 40,” Doogan recalled, per SWNS.
At 44, she faced a second cancer diagnosis that turned her life upside down and led her to begin treatment again. After discovering she carried the BRCA2 gene mutation, she chose to undergo a double mastectomy.
BRCA2, when mutated, can increase a person’s lifetime risk of breast and other cancers, including ovarian, prostate and pancreatic, according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Most breast cancers arising from a BRCA2 gene mutation are estrogen receptor–positive/HER2-negative, the foundation notes.
Dolly Enters Vickie’s Life
Amid her recovery, Doogan got Dolly in 2018, and they’ve been two peas in a pod ever since.
“She’s like my shadow,” Doogan said. “She’s the most perfect little dog.”
Then in February 2026, Doogan noticed Dolly had an upset stomach and took her to the vet. The doctor found a lump under one of Dolly’s nipples. They recommended she get a mastectomy.
“I was so shocked, I didn’t even know dogs could have mastectomies,” Doogan said.
Doctors said Dolly had a “low-grade” cancer, and she underwent the surgery. Now, both the owner and her dog are living cancer-free. Dolly’s recovery has gone well.
“She bounced back just as well as I did. People said it’s like she’s mirroring how I dealt with it,” Doogan said, adding that her own recovery has been smooth.
“Now I’m living my best life again. It’s all in my past,” she added. “I want people to know that although breast cancer is scary, you can still live a really full life.”
What to Know About Breast Cancer in Dogs
Breast cancers in dogs are often referred to as mammary tumors, which develop from abnormal replication of breast tissue cells, according to Atlantic Coast New York Veterinary Specialists. These tumors can be benign or malignant.
The disease is relatively common, striking approximately one in four unspayed female dogs. Spaying before a first estrus cycle reduces the chances from 25 percent to .05 percent. Spaying after the first heat but before the second drops the risk of future breast cancer to approximately 8 percent, according to the veterinary specialists.
About half of mammary tumors found in dogs are benign, and of those that are malignant, most can be treated successfully with surgery if caught early enough. Although rare, male dogs may also develop breast cancers, and in males the cancer tends to metastasize aggressively.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
