A Woman Beat Cancer Twice. Then Her Dog Was Diagnosed With the Same Thing — and Beat It Too
Vickie Doogan survived cancer twice. Later, her dog, Dolly — a Poochon who is always by her side — was also diagnosed with the same illness and recovered.
The woman from England and her pet now share an even deeper bond after both had mastectomies and were declared cancer-free.
Doogan’s first diagnosis came at age 39 when she noticed a dull ache and a lump in her armpit. Doctors then confirmed that the breast cancer had already spread to her arm.
“I was the fittest and healthiest I’d ever been, and I was really looking forward to turning 40,” Doogan recalled, per SWNS.
After undergoing chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, she was told she was cancer-free. But years later, she got some shocking news.
When Doogan was 44, her life was thrown into chaos once more after cancer returned and she had to restart treatment. Genetic testing revealed she carried the BRCA2 mutation, leading her to opt for a double mastectomy.
According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, BRCA2 is a gene that, when mutated, can increase a person’s lifetime risk of breast and other cancers, including ovarian, prostate and pancreatic. Most breast cancers that arise from a BRCA2 gene mutation are estrogen receptor–positive/HER2-negative.
Inside Vickie and Dolly’s Close Bond
Amid her recovery from the double mastectomy, Doogan got Dolly in 2018. The two became extremely close and have been inseparable ever since.
“She’s like my shadow,” Doogan said. “She’s the most perfect little dog.”
In February 2026, after Dolly developed an upset stomach, Doogan brought her to the veterinarian. There, the vet found a lump under one of the dog’s nipples and said she would require a mastectomy.
“I was so shocked, I didn’t even know dogs could have mastectomies,” Doogan shared.
Doctors said Dolly had a “low-grade” cancer. She underwent the surgery as a result.
Now both owner and dog are cancer-free — and their parallel journeys have not gone unnoticed.
“She bounced back just as well as I did. People said it’s like she’s mirroring how I dealt with it,” Doogan said.
“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.”
Dog Breast Cancer Is More Common Than Many Owners Realize
Mammary tumors in dogs develop from abnormal replication of breast tissue cells and can be benign or malignant, according to Atlantic Coast New York Veterinary Specialists.
Half of the mammary tumors found in dogs are benign, and of the malignant half, most can be treated successfully with surgery if caught early enough, the veterinary group notes. Breast cancer in dogs is relatively common, occurring in approximately 25 percent of unspayed females. Although it is rare, male dogs can also develop breast cancer, and in males it tends to metastasize aggressively.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
