Your household cat could hold the key to understanding and curing cancer, according to new research.

Scientists have carried out a world–first study into multiple cancer types in felines and found genetic changes that could help treat the condition in both humans and animals.

By analysing the different types of tumours from almost 500 pet cats across five countries, they discovered the mechanisms that drive cancer formation are comparable to those seen in people.

For example, they found similarities between feline mammary cancers and human breast cancers.

Cats are exposed to some of the same environmental cancer risks as their owners, which means that some causes could, at least in part, be shared, they said.

The findings could mean it is possible to develop cancer treatments that target these changes in cats and potentially in humans.

'Our household pets share the same spaces as us, meaning that they are also exposed to the same environmental factors that we are,' Professor Geoffrey Wood, from the University of Guelph in Ontario, said.

'This can help us understand more about why cancer develops in cats and humans, how the world around us influences cancer risk, and possibly find new ways to prevent and treat it.'

Almost a quarter of all UK households own at least one cat, and with over 10 million cats living in the UK they are now about as popular as dogs as pets.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of illness and death in cats, but very little is known about how it develops.

This new research is the first time that cat cancer tumours have been genetically profiled at scale.

In their study, the researchers, including those at the Sanger Institute, looked for around 1,000 human cancer–associated genes in both tumours and healthy tissue samples from almost 500 pet cats.

This included 13 different types of cat cancer and allowed them to compare the genetic changes to those seen in human and dog cancers.

They found that for some cancer types, the genetic changes that drive cancer development in domestic cats are comparable to those seen in humans.

For example, mammary carcinomas are a common and aggressive type of cancer in cats. This research identified seven driver genes that led to the development of cancer when mutated.

The most common driver gene was FBXW7 and over 50 per cent of the cat tumours had a change in this gene.

In humans, changes in the FBXW7 gene in breast cancer tumours are associated with worse prognosis, which parallels what is seen in cats.

The study even found that certain chemotherapy drugs were more effective in the cat mammary tumours with changes in the FBXW7 gene.

While this was conducted in tissue samples, and requires further investigation, it may offer a potential avenue of therapy for both cats with mammary carcinoma and human breast cancer patients, the team said.

The second most common driver gene was PIK3CA, seen in 47 per cent of cat mammary carcinoma tumours. This is also a genetic change found in human breast cancer.

Similarities to human driver mutations were also seen across blood, bone, lung, skin, gastro–intestinal, and central nervous system tumours.

Future research exploring these genetic changes could lead to new knowledge and possibly therapies for cancers across the species, the team explained.

Bailey Francis, co–first author at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said: 'By comparing cancer genomics across different species, we gain a greater understanding of what causes cancer.

'One of our major findings was that the genetic changes in cat cancer are similar to some that are seen in humans and dogs.

'This could help experts in the veterinary field as well as those studying cancer in humans, showing that when knowledge and data flows between different disciplines, we can all benefit.'

The findings were published in the journal Science.

Dr Louise Van Der Weyden, senior author at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, added: 'This is one of the biggest ever developments in feline oncology and means the genetics of domestic cat tumours are no longer a 'black box'.

'We can now begin to take the next steps forward towards precision feline oncology, to catch up with the diagnostic and therapeutic options that are available for dogs with cancer, and ultimately one day, humans.'

HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR CAT? THE 13 SECRET SIGNALS FELINES GIVE THEIR OWNERS

Cats are often branded aloof and solitary creatures who spend their days plotting their human owner's demise, but such characterisations could not be further from the truth.

In fact, our feline friends constantly communicate their feelings of affection to us, whether it be through their whiskers, tail, face or body language.

In her eye-opening new book Kitty Language: An Illustrated Guide to Understanding Your Cat, author Lili Chin - with the help of animal behaviourists - explains how to interpret your pet's movements.

Below are some of the most common behaviours and what they could signal.