AI, dogs, and the chance to not have a tube stuck up your butt once you turn 40 – this inspired combination of some of the world’s greatest blessings has risen from SpotitEarly’s new experimental cancer screening method. The company found that tumor cells “produce a unique volatile organic compound “VOC” pattern that is further excreted and can be detected”. They connected this knowledge to the fact that canines have extreme odor-sensory abilities and can identify scents in biological samples, including breath samples. Research from their newest study showed that dogs correctly identified cancer with high accuracy and sensitivity by smelling breath samples from human patients, reporting a 94% success rate over nearly 1,400 participants. This is especially important since early cancer detection is essential in improving survival probability and prevention of tumor growth. However, many individuals shy away from cancer screenings due to various drawbacks including possible radiation exposure or invasive procedures (see previously mentioned butt tube). This new method of cancer screening could help adults catch cancer earlier, easier, and in a more accessible way.
To prepare for the study, labradors were raised in a laboratory and trained to sit if they detected one of four types of cancer: lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate. During the six months before the study, they smelled almost 500 samples to hone their identification skills. Human participants were previously screened using traditional methods to provide an accurate cancer diagnosis that would compare with the canine method.
Once the study was underway, participants breathed into a surgical mask to provide a breath sample. Then, the masks were held in smelling ports to which the dogs responded according to their training. SpotitEarly used sensors and cameras connected to an AI processing application to analyze the dog’s reaction, noting if they were sitting, hesitating, or displaying other body language that would indicate a positive or negative result. Through this method, the labradors successfully identified 245 out of the 261 cases of the four types of cancer.
Now, this technology still has a way to go before it reaches the general public. SpotitEarly hopes to perform clinical trials in the United States by 2026; they also aim to use beagles rather than labradors for their next endeavors. The technology will continue to develop and hopefully, by the time we all turn 40, cancer screenings will be a breath of fresh air.