Keeping up on all of the news related to cancer and what’s going on around the nation and world can be tough but don’t worry we’ve got you covered.

Here are all the cancer related dates, news and heartwarming stories we’ve found over the last month.

A VERY GOOD BOY — While dog has long been known as man’s best friend, one surprising way they’re becoming even more valuable to people is their use in cancer detection. This pup will be the 51st dog trained by this company to be a cancer sniffing dog according to KRCR.

How does it work? The article states that the dog will be able to detect certain compounds in things like sweat, spit and urine from patients.

(Photo courtesy KRCR)

SURPRISE OF HER LIFE – According to Houston TV station KHOU Dylan Probe, a fourth grader, had a leg amputated after being diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma. She got the surprise of her life when she was gifted an American Girl doll with a matching prosthetic.

SURVIVAL RATES CLIMB — This year’s annual report to the nation had some good news for the future. The report states that,”death rates during the period 2010–2014 decreased for 11 of the 16 most common types of cancer in men and for 13 of the 18 most common types of cancer in women, including lung, colorectal, female breast, and prostate cancers.”

MENTAL HEALTH KEY — A new study found that cancer patients are at a 55 percent higher risk of committing suicide. This article in the Guardian notes that preliminary results show, “We suggest there is a need in cancer patients to be screened and cared not only for anxiety and depression, but also specifically for those people with suicidal thoughts and a lifetime history of suicide attempts, in particular during the period immediately subsequent to the diagnosis of cancer.”

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DATES
April is home to a few cancer related dates ranging from cancer prevention to awareness, this list from the American Cancer Society includes:
National Cancer Control Month
National Minority Cancer Awareness Week (April 9 −15)
National Minority Health Month
National Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Week (April 12–18)
Coaches vs. Cancer Final Four (April 1-3 Phoenix)
National Volunteer Week (April 23−29)
Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
World Health Day (April 7)