A study conducted at The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in conjunction with The Frankie Foundation, collected 34 urine samples from patients that potentially had thyroid cancer. The patients had not undergone a biopsy yet so it was not yet clear who had full-blown cancer and who had a more benign thyroid disease. The team then tasked Frankie, a German Shepherd trained to pick up the cancer’s distinct scent with delivering a diagnosis via canine help.
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and The Frankie Foundation collected 24 urine samples from patients with suspected thyroid cancer. These tests were done before the patients had received biopsies. Frankie, the German Shepherd trained to pick up cancer’s scent was able to deliver 88.4% accurate with his diagnosis by just smelling the urine.
More research is needed before this method can be implemented but things are looking good.
To see the dogs in action, check this out!
References
1. Geek
