Canine cancer detection is an approach to cancer screening that relies on the olfactory ability that dogs claim to be detected, in urine or in breath, a very low concentration of alkanes and aromatic compounds produced by malignant tumors.
While some studies have been promising, there is no verifiable research by secondary research groups that have proven the validity of positive and conclusive outcomes.
Video Canine cancer detection
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Media coverage
The proposal that dogs can detect cancer attracts widespread coverage in the general media. By 2015, the Huffington Post reports that research shows that dogs may be able to detect lung cancer, melanoma, breast cancer and bladder cancer, and that dogs can be trained to detect cancer in 93% of cases. In 2016, actress Shannen Doherty told Entertainment Tonight in an interview that her dog identified her breast cancer before doctors could diagnose it. National geographic says that "human companions can detect various types of cancer, including prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and melanoma."
On the other hand, a review by Australian Popular Science found that more rigorous testing yielded less positive results. Other experiments reported in Nature World News found disappointing results, however "the researchers... believe that one day, dogs can still detect lung cancer."
NBC reported that the UK National Health Service was behind the first clinical trial to test the canine's ability to detect cancer.
Maps Canine cancer detection
Research
Although the first suggestion of this approach in medical journals, The Lancet , dates back to 1989, there are only occasional publications on the subject within the next decade.
However, two studies (one published in 2004 and one in 2006), involving detection in the urine, had promising results, with a 2006 report claiming 99% accuracy in detecting lung cancer, although both studies were preliminary and involved a number small patients.
In the 2011 study, lung cancer was identified with a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 93%, using a breath sample.
Skeptical Analysis
In a May 25, 2012 article, "What to Do for Medical Dogs" published by Science-Based Medicine, Peter Lipson reports his review of the scientific literature on these claims and finds valid support for less-than-positive conclusions:
Although anecdotes are abundant, there is little literature to support this ability. One unimpressive pilot study saw the potential ability of a dog to detect bladder cancer from a urine sample. The idea behind dog cancers is that there may be volatile compounds produced in cancer patients that can be detected by dogs with scents. In this study, the compound was not identified, not tested, not named. There are many confounders, for example, in some samples used, there may be other differences detected by dogs.
In another study (I found very few) dogs were "trained" to detect lung and breast cancer in humans. The methodology of breath sampling was not validated as far as I can see, and again, the putative compound in the breath was not identified. Statistically, the best marginal efficacy... I do not doubt the social and emotional value of the dog as a friend, and as an active helper in many situations. But beyond this, the evidence wants.
See also
- The hunting dog
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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