Dogs Sniff Out Early-Stage Cancer in Groundbreaking Partnership
In a groundbreaking development, dogs are being trained to sniff out cancer at an early stage. Hackensack Meridian Health has teamed up with SpotitEarly, a pioneering organisation founded by Shlomi Madar in 2018, to harness the power of man's best friend in the fight against breast cancer.
SpotitEarly specialises in training beagles to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with cancer tumours. These dogs have shown remarkable potential in early-stage cancer detection, which often requires less aggressive therapy. A recent study has demonstrated that when combined with artificial intelligence, dogs can effectively detect cancer in its early stages.
Early detection is crucial for positive clinical outcomes. It allows for effective treatment and cure in many cases. Dogs' keen sense of smell makes them ideal for this task. They can detect minute changes in odour patterns that humans cannot perceive.
Hackensack Meridian Health's partnership with SpotitEarly is a significant step towards improving breast cancer detection. By utilising dogs' natural abilities, combined with AI, they aim to enhance early detection rates, potentially saving countless lives.
