Recent studies show that dogs have successfully detected cancer through scent, the latest research explores whether ovarian cancer has a different scent and whether dogs can differentiate.
As confirmed by a National Geographic report in 2006, even ordinary household dogs with basic training can accurately distinguish between breath samples lung and breast cancer patients and healthy patients.
Recent research explores whether the scent of Ovarian cancer is different. Ovarian cancer has a high mortality rate mainly as a result of late diagnosis.
The researchers from the University hospital in Goteborg, Sweden, along with those from Working Dog Clubs in Sweden and Hungary, trained dogs to distinguish different stages of ovarian cancer and grades including borderline tumors.
It was found that the scent of ovarian cancer seemed to differ from those of other gynaecological cancers. In addition they found that early stage and low grade ovarian cancers emit the same scent as advanced tumors.
Dogs can identify chemical traces in the range of parts per trillion. Previous studies have confirmed the ability of trained dogs to detect skin-cancer melanomas by sniffing skin lesions, researchers also hope to prove dogs can detect prostate cancer by smelling patients' urine.
Editor in chief of Integrative Cancer Therapies, Keith Block said,"There is great value in this
study, which adds to the growing body of research suggesting the diagnostic skills of these specially trained dogs. Their ability to detect specific odors associated with chemicals related to malignancy should eventually lead to effective methods and tools for early detection, and thus a greater proportion of cancer cures".
Evidently, man's best friend seems to proves this affectionate title yet again.
Dogs to detect Ovarian Cancer
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