Dogs: Exceptional Cancer Detectives
Humans may find it challenging to pick up on the faint scents linked to cancer, but dogs have demonstrated an astonishing aptitude for doing so. Studies have trained dogs to identify cancer by sniffing samples such as breath, urine, and others, thanks to their highly sensitive noses. In one study, dogs were even able to detect cancer with an accuracy rate as high as 98%. Quite remarkable, isn’t it?
What gives dogs this extraordinary ability is their capacity to detect VOCs at levels far beyond what humans can sense. Researchers are now working on developing technology that mimics the remarkable olfactory abilities of dogs to assist doctors in detecting cancer at earlier stages. Although these trained dogs aren’t yet a standard part of cancer screening procedures, the potential they hold for early detection is truly exciting.
