Explosives detection dogs trained to identify cancer
Over 40,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed every year, making it the most common cancer in UK men (file photo).
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
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is inviting applications from veterinary students to attend a one-week extramural studies (EMS) placement in July 2026.
