We all know that dogs are man’s best friend. But soon, they could also be a doctor’s best friend as well.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s Work Dog Center have discovered that dogs can detect the smell given off by certain chemical compounds that are produced during the early stages of ovarian cancer.
Every year, over 20,000 Americans are diagnosed with ovarian cancer, but due to generic symptoms like bloating, weight gain, and constipation, it can be difficult for physicians to offer a precise diagnosis. However, like most cancers, early diagnosis is key. In fact, women who are diagnosed with ovarian cancer in its early stages have a five-year survival rate of 90 percent. And this discovery could very well help diagnoses ovarian cancer before it spreads.
Over at Monell Chemical Sensess Chemical Center, researchers are trying to replicate the dogs’ ability with an electronic sensor. Said organic chemist George Preti on The Animal Rescue Site’s blog:
“Because if the dogs can do it, then the question is, “Can our analytical instruments do it?” We think we can,” said George Preti, Monell organic chemist.
Although dogs’ senses haven’t directly made any major breakthroughs for ovarian cancer, the American Cancer Society is hopeful that dogs may eventually play a role in patient care. Cindy Otto, director of the Working Dog Center, on the other hand, can see this happening sooner than later:
“If we can figure out what those chemicals are, what that fingerprint of ovarian cancer is that’s in the blood — or maybe even eventually in the urine or something like that — then we can have that automated test that will be less expensive and very efficient at screening those samples,” said Cindy Otto, director of the Working Dog Center.
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