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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 14th April 2015
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Explosives detection dogs trained to identify cancer
dog's nose
Over 40,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed every year, making it the most common cancer in UK men (file photo).
Dogs detect prostate cancer with over 90 per cent accuracy

A pair of German shepherd dogs have been trained to detect prostate cancer with well over 90 per cent accuracy, according to an Italian study.

The two explosion detection dogs were trained to recognise volatile organic compounds linked to prostate cancer in urine samples.

More than 900 patients' samples were involved in the study, of whom 362 had cancer (ranging from low risk to metastatic) and 540 were healthy controls.

Findings published in the Journal of Urology demonstrate remarkable accuracy in the dogs' ability to identify cancer.

Over 40,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed every year, making it the most common cancer in UK men.

Current tests used are most commonly blood tests, physical examination and biopsies.

Results from the blood test, which measures the level of prostate-specific antigens (PSA), can be unreliable as a raised PSA can also be due to non-cancerous prostate growth, urinary tract infections or prostate inflammation, as well as cancer. Raised PSA can therefore lead to unnecessary tests and treatment.

Claire Guest, co-founder of the UK charity Medical Detection Dogs, said the results of the Italian study were "spectacular". The charity's own research has found 93 per cent accuracy in dogs' ability to recognise prostate cancer.

Writing in the Journal of Urology, researchers say further work is needed to determine how valuable this ability will be in identifying prostate cancer in practice.

Read the full study: http://www.jurology.com/article/S0022-5347%2814%2904573-X/abstract

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.