Canine cancer detection

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Canine cancer detection is an approach to cancer screening that relies upon the olfactory ability of dogs to detect very low concentrations of the alkanes and aromatic compounds generated by tumors.

Although the first suggestion of this approach in a medical journal dates back to 1989, there was little further investigation for the next decade. However, two studies (one published in 2004 and one in 2006) had promising results, with the 2006 report claiming a 99 percent accuracy in detecting lung cancer, although both studies were preliminary and involved small numbers of patients.

There are two proposed benefits, assuming that further studies corroborate the initial results. Some researchers believe that dogs will become integrated directly into patient care, akin to their use in detecting bombs, drugs, and missing people. Others recommend that the skill of dogs in detecting cancer would be more appropriately confined to labs, where gas chromatographs could be used to isolate which specific compounds the dogs identified.

Contents 1 See also 2 External links 2.1 2004 study 2.2 2006 studies & articles 2.3 other

[edit] See also

• Scent hound

[edit] External links

[edit] 2004 study

• Willis CM, Church SM, Guest CM, Cook WA, McCarthy N, Bransbury AJ, Church MR, Church JC. "Olfactory detection of human bladder cancer by dogs: proof of principle study." BMJ. 2004 Sep 25;329(7468):712. PMID 15388612 Article
• USA Today - "Study shows dogs able to smell cancer"
• CBS News - "Dogs Can Smell Cancer"

[edit] 2006 studies & articles

• McCulloch M, Jezierski T, Broffman M, Hubbard A, Turner K, Janecki T. "Diagnostic accuracy of canine scent detection in early- and late-stage lung and breast cancers." Integr Cancer Ther. 2006 Mar;5(1):30-9. PMID 16484712 Abstract
• Pine Street Foundation - Information and FAQs on Canine Scent Detection of Cancer
• NYTimes - "Dogs Excel on Smell Test to Find Cancer"
• Diagnostic Accuracy of Canine Scent Detection in Early- and Late-Stage Lung and Breast Cancers (PDF)
• NYTimes - Dogs and Their Fine Noses Find New Career Path
• Reuters - Dogs can detect the disease by smelling breath samples, study finds
• Sunday Times of London - Dr Dog, the cancer specialist
• National Geographic News - Dogs Smell Cancer in Patients' Breath
• CNN - Cancer-Detecting Dogs
• HealthDay - Dogs Smell Signs of Cancer
• San Francisco Business Times - Man's best friend may hold key to sniffing out certain cancers
• Pacific Sun - Sniffing out cancer
• Reuters - Dogs can detect the disease by smelling breath samples, study finds

[edit] other

• Williams H, Pembroke A. "Sniffer dogs in the melanoma clinic?" Lancet. 1989 Apr 1;1(8640):734. PMID 2564551
• Church J, Williams H. "Another sniffer dog for the clinic?" Lancet. 2001 Sep 15;358(9285):930. No abstract available. PMID 11575380