Dogs best tech in detecting cancer
by Katie Pfaff
In a recent nose-to-nose study that compared trained dogs with an electronic device, dogs proved better at sensing cancer. The study used two dogs trained to sniff for prostate cancer and an "electronic nose" designed to detect the smell. The information was broadcast virtually at the 2021 annual meeting of the American Urological Association.
It is hypothesized that dogs can detect volatile organic compounds in urine which are expelled by tumors in the prostate. The study included 126 patients, 66 with various stages of prostate cancer, and 60 who served as controls. Two explosive-detecting German Shepards were used to detect cancer and were able to correctly identify cancer 98% of the time, while the e-nose device had an accuracy of 84% overall.
"We all know the sense of smell is a superpower for dogs," said Dr. Stacey Loeb. Urologic oncologist at NYU Langone Health and Manhattan Veterans Affairs. "Seeing this superpower put to the test against advanced technology is fascinating. In a world full of technology, it appears dogs are better able to naturally screen for prostate cancer than our most advanced technology. Hopefully science and technology can learn more from them in the near future and finally catch up."
https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1097/JU.0000000000002027.17
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