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Besides This Problem, Dogs Can Also Detect Other Pathologies in People, According to the University Survey
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania in the United States have brought new scientific evidence about a well-known skill of dogs that is still underexplored by medicine: their highly developed sense of smell capable of identifying serious diseases even before a clinical diagnosis. A recent study indicates that trained dogs can detect cancer early, paving the way for new screening and treatment strategies, especially in veterinary medicine.
Thus, the research, published in the scientific journal The Veterinary Journal, analyzed the ability of bio-detection dogs to identify hemangiosarcoma, one of the most aggressive and lethal types of canine cancer. This disease is often silent and, in many cases, is only discovered in advanced stages when the chances of effective treatment are reduced.
According to the study’s data, one of the trained female dogs correctly identified about 70% of the analyzed blood samples, a percentage considered significant within the standards of similar research.
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This work was conducted by researchers Cynthia Otto and Clara Wilson from Penn Vet, a veterinary center associated with the university. They explain that the main goal of the study was to demonstrate that hemangiosarcoma has a specific “olfactory profile,” meaning it releases chemical compounds that can be detected by the dogs’ highly sensitive sense of smell. “Detecting cancer is incredibly difficult, it is a very complex odor,” stated Clara Wilson. For her, the results obtained are encouraging and indicate an important advancement in understanding the disease.
Dogs Can Detect Other Diseases Besides Cancer, Says Research
Although the focus of the research was on cancer in dogs, previous studies have already demonstrated that animals can also identify different types of human cancer.
In this case, there is evidence of detection of ovarian, pancreatic, lung, and bladder tumors through the scent present in blood, urine, or even breath, with accuracy rates reaching 90% in some experiments. These data reinforce the hypothesis that cancer, regardless of species, may release detectable chemical markers through the canine sense of smell.
To reach the results, five previously trained dogs participated in rigorous tests under double-blind conditions, a method in which neither the trainers nor the researchers know which samples are positive or negative during the analysis. The samples included serum from dogs with confirmed hemangiosarcoma, dogs with other non-cancerous diseases, and healthy animals. Each dog evaluated sets of samples in multiple trials, ensuring greater statistical reliability of the data.
Additionally, the technology used also drew attention. This is because the tests were conducted with the help of high-precision olfactometers, equipped with sensors and infrared laser beams. These devices accurately record when the animal is analyzing a sample and for how long.
If the dog stays long enough in front of the correct sample, an acoustic signal is emitted, indicating that it can receive a reward. The method helps reduce human interference and makes the results more objective.
On average, the dogs correctly identified cancer in 70% of the attempts, a percentage that, according to the researchers, aligns with studies of human cancer detection by dogs. More than the percentage itself, the data confirms that hemangiosarcoma has a specific detectable odor, validating the study’s proposal as a proof of concept.
Practical Tools for Daily Life
Now, the expectation is to turn this knowledge into practical tools. The idea is to develop tests or equipment capable of replicating the olfactory capacity of dogs, allowing for simple and accessible screening exams. According to Clara Wilson, an annual odor-based test could alert guardians and veterinarians about possible changes, leading to the performance of additional exams, such as ultrasound or tomography, even in the early stages of the disease.
For Cynthia Otto, early detection is essential. “If we identify it early, we can prevent the spread of the disease, which is the most devastating aspect of hemangiosarcoma,” she stated. With early diagnosis, it would be possible to consider surgical interventions before severe complications or to start chemotherapy more effectively, significantly increasing the chances of survival for the animals.
In addition to saving lives, this advancement may allow for new clinical trials and the development of more effective therapies. The study reinforces the role of dogs not only as companions but also as valuable allies in science and medicine, capable of contributing to faster and more accurate diagnoses in the future.
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