Can Dogs Help Detect Cancer?

Can dogs smell cancer? is a Biology News Net article noting evidence for the extraordinary ability of dogs to detect both early and late stages of lung and breast cancers through their sense of smell. The related study was published in the March 2006 issue of the journal Integrative Cancer Therapies. Encouragingly study results indicated that dogs can detect breast and lung cancer with sensitivity and specificity ranging between 88% and 97%. Other studies previously found that dogs could identify chemicals diluted within parts per trillion ranges.

Valued Dogs

Dogs have rendered dual benefits to humans for centuries. In addition to the love and companionship given to pet owners, dogs provide some tangible services. Dogs pull sleds in frigid regions, track with hunters, facilitate mobility for the blind and have become valued adjuncts for law enforcement because of their keen sense of smell, enabling agents to identify drugs and other illegal cargo.

Defense Industry Daily highlights yet another valued but dangerous service provided by man's best friend in an article titled US Marine Corps Employing Dogs to Detect IEDs. The United States Marine Corps uses dogs to help detect improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in combat areas like Afghanistan and Iraq. A company called K2 Solutions, Inc. trains dogs to be able to perform that dangerous task. The company has a contract with the USMC entailing the supply of up to 247 trained IED detector dogs.

Besides training, feeding and caring for the dogs K2 Solutions helps on the human end with developing handlers able to work effectively with their canine allies. The Marine Corp takes the dog handling responsibility seriously and requires that handlers submit to a selection and training process. Dogs begin training at nine months of age. Both dogs and their human handlers need to successfully fulfill the rigors of training to qualify for the important missions awaiting them.