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Canines may actually be able to put their butt-sniffing skills to good use. A new Japanese study found that a dog was able to correctly identify the breath and stool samples of people with colon cancer, which could mean you’ll need those uncomfortable colonoscopies less frequently.
In the experiment, the dog correctly spotted the cancerous breath samples 91 percent of the time. Their detection rate for cancerous stool samples was even better: a 97 percent success rate. (The dog sat down in front of samples to show that they were cancerous.)
Previous studies have identified lung cancer, breast cancer, and even schizophrenia by analyzing breath scent using both dogs and lab techniques. “This study verified that a specific cancer scent does exist,” explains Hideto Sonoda, M.D., lead author of the study. “The research is still new but we think cancer produces certain chemicals and gases that could be identified through the breath and stool.”
About 50 percent of U.S. adults over 50 are behind on their colon cancer screenings, according to the CDC. This technique may increase the amount of people who get tested—which is major considering the fact that 60 percent of colorectal cancer related deaths could be prevented if people were screened regularly.
In the experiment, the dog correctly spotted the cancerous breath samples 91 percent of the time. Their detection rate for cancerous stool samples was even better: a 97 percent success rate. (The dog sat down in front of samples to show that they were cancerous.)
Previous studies have identified lung cancer, breast cancer, and even schizophrenia by analyzing breath scent using both dogs and lab techniques. “This study verified that a specific cancer scent does exist,” explains Hideto Sonoda, M.D., lead author of the study. “The research is still new but we think cancer produces certain chemicals and gases that could be identified through the breath and stool.”
About 50 percent of U.S. adults over 50 are behind on their colon cancer screenings, according to the CDC. This technique may increase the amount of people who get tested—which is major considering the fact that 60 percent of colorectal cancer related deaths could be prevented if people were screened regularly.