In 2003 John Church brought together a team of
doctors, dog trainers and scientists. In 2004 a preliminary proof of principle
study was completed. This was published in the British Medical Journal (Willis CM, Church SM, Guest CM, Cook WA,
McCarthy N, Bransbury A, Church MRT, Church JCT. Olfactory detection of human
bladder cancer by dogs: proof of principle study. BMJ 2004 329: 712.) The study
provided the first proof that dogs could identify a unique odour or ‘odour
signature’ that was associated with cancer. This was the first clinically
robust trial to be completed and published in the world.
First and foremost Medical Detection Dogs can
advance research into the early diagnosis of cancer. It is well known that
early diagnosis would save countless lives and so benefit the public hugely.
Research is the only way of finding an answer. Find out more about this
wonderful new initiative by watching the video below…
Can the Power of
Scent be used to Detect Cancer?
A new study from
Germany, reported in Aug 2011 European Respiratory Journal, has
found that sniffer dogs can help physicians make early yet reliable detections
of lung cancer in patients.


After they were trained to lie down & sniff the samples the real test was administered. The dogs showed 71% success rate in detecting lung cancer, with the stage of the cancer having little effect on the success rate.
Researches acknowledge that dogs are limited and cannot convey what kind of cancer they are detecting, but the research does hold promise of the development of electronic tests that can identify maker chemicals in the patient’s breath. Figuring out what those markers are is the next step.
More research is
needed to determine what compounds the dogs have been detecting. Previous
studies have shown that dogs, with then sharp sense of smell, can identify
patients with certain types of cancer especially lung and colon cancers.
Canine Scent Detection in the Diagnosis
of Lung Cancer ERJ Aug 18, 2011
Paula Bockman-Chato had first believed that the constant sniffing
and nuzzling under her arm by her beloved saluki Kaspar was just the dog being
affectionate. But that was until a medical check revealed early signs of lymph
node cancer in the very spot that had attracted Kaspar's attention.
Dogs ‘Smell Out’ Cancer
“Breast and lung cancer have been confirmed in people who are already diagnosed by conventional testing methods by trained dogs using their highly sensitive nose in research studies. Our canine companions are still not officially used in clinical detection but with further positive research this would be a likelihood.” says Dr Peter Higgins (veterinarian & ANKC spokesman)

While Mrs Bockman-Chato's story is remarkable, it is not
uncommon. Scientific research has now confirmed what was long anecdotally
believed - dogs are highly successful in sniffing out cancer in humans thanks
to their incredible sense of smell.
So good are they that one of Australia's chief vets is
pushing to have dogs in GP surgeries just to sniff out cancer. Australian
National Kennel Council vet Dr Peter Higgins said it was time doctors used this
remarkable ability by having dogs in their surgeries as early cancer detectors.
"It would not replace diagnostic tests
but it would be a good early and non-invasive way of finding if something is
there," he said.
Dr Higgins said some of his clients were alerted about
emerging skin cancer when their pet dog started consistently licking the
cancerous spot on their arm or leg:
"They went to their doctor and found
they had a skin cancer developing."
Dogs
may have the ability to detect certain types of cancer by smell. Specially trained
dogs can detect certain proteins occurring in cancer patients’ breath.
“Breast and lung cancer have been confirmed in people who are already diagnosed by conventional testing methods by trained dogs using their highly sensitive nose in research studies. Our canine companions are still not officially used in clinical detection but with further positive research this would be a likelihood.” says Dr Peter Higgins (veterinarian & ANKC spokesman)
Studies
undertaken in UK, USA & Canada took a large group of people, half with a
certain type of cancer and half without to conduct the tests. Dogs were trained
to signal by sitting or lying down when they smell a person’s breath who they
suspect has cancer. 97% of cases were successfully reconfirmed by the dogs.
“Dogs not only have a hardworking and loyal
temperament, but an incredibly strong sense of smell. It’s astonishing to know
that their assistance in the world of science could potentially help to save
the lives of cancer patients.”
Dr Higgins.
Anecdotal
evidence of dogs having this ability has been rumoured by dog owners for
decades. In the past, people have sought medical advice because their pet dog
has taken an unusual interest in a particular mole on their skin, or provided
signs to compel owners to visit the doctor to check. Current conventional
screening tests vary between types of cancers and include biopsies, physical
examinations, and blood tests.
“This represents a less invasive form of detection, and
a quick and efficient way of helping to confirm early detection of cancer. Conventional
tests aren’t always 100% accurate, so this provides another means of
confirming test results to allow greater scope for early intervention.” Dr Higgins.
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) looks
forward to future research being undertaken in this area.
“I hope to see this research develop in the
future, and if this success continues, look to integrate it with current cancer
testing methods. What is even more exciting is the possibility that dogs could
detect some cancers that conventional methods cannot detect.” Dr Higgins.
Source: Australian National Kennel Council Media Release 4
Nov 2009
Canine Scent Detection Programs
California's Pine Street Foundation found dogs identified people with lung and breast
cancer by sniffing proteins in their breath.
The foundation ran a trial involving 86 patients with cancer
and 83 without and found dogs could identify the cancer patients with an 88-97%
accuracy range.
University of Oklahoma researcher Dr Patrick McCann, inspired
by the dog cancer research, is developing a test using infrared lasers to
detect cancer markers on a patient's breath.
Canine Scent Detection of Lung and Breast
Cancers in Integrative Cancer Therapies (March 2006, Vol. 5, No 1; pp. 1-10)
NB: There were no conflicts of interest for any study
authors. All dogs were treated in a humane and safe manner, consistent with professional
dog clicker training. None of the dogs were pets of any of the investigators, trainers,
or handler.
Ovarian
Cancer – Early Diagnosis Project
Ovarian cancer is the 5th leading
cause of cancer death in women. Early diagnosis is the most important step
toward reducing morbidity and mortality from ovarian cancer (e.g., from less
than 10% in late stage cancer to greater than 90% survival rate for early
detection).
This innovative project will focus specifically on
detecting ovarian cancer through analysis of exhaled breath, leading the way
towards a truly non-invasive way to diagnose ovarian cancer. A major step forward
in this study is that breath analysis will be conducted both with trained dogs at
the Pine Street Foundation and with sophisticated analytical chemistry at laboratories
in Maine.
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