.png)
CANCER SNIFFERS: A recent report found that a trained Labrador retriever was more accurate than doctors in diagnosing large-bowel cancers. (Photos.com)
“Isn’t it wiser to suffer a little discomfort for a few moments than face the pain of terminal colon cancer?” I’ve lost count of the times I’ve asked this question of patients. But some still prefer playing Russian roulette with malignancy than submitting to colonoscopy. So is Fido an alternative to this unpleasant procedure?
A recent report in the medical journal Gut found that a trained Labrador retriever was more accurate than doctors in diagnosing large-bowel cancers. With a sniff of a stool, the trained Fido was able to diagnose this malignancy.
Researchers collected stool samples from 48 patients who had colon cancer and 258 healthy volunteers. Stools were placed in plastic containers covered by perforated lids. A Labrador retriever was trained in the same way as those used to spot explosives and drugs—to sit down when he detected cancer in a container.
The Lab provided the correct diagnosis in 98 percent of the cancer specimens. He even made the right diagnosis in patients with early malignancy, which is often hard to detect by colonoscopy.
This accuracy is an example of how to embarrass doctors in one easy lesson. How many cancer specialists would be willing to sniff pooh and accept a slight reward for diagnosing colon cancer—the chance to play with a tennis ball? Small wonder that Fido is man’s best friend.
This research isn’t the first time dogs have been shown to be superior diagnosticians to doctors. In fact, some specialists need Refresher Course 101 in diagnosing malignant melanomas. A study showed that dermatologists, surgeons, and plastic surgeons were right only 66 percent of the time in diagnosing this dangerous malignancy.
I recently saw a patient who had repeatedly told her dermatologist that a mole on her shoulder was increasing in size. Instead of arranging a biopsy, he became indignant and chided her for not accepting his professional opinion. Finally, she sought a second opinion and was told it was a malignant melanoma that had spread to other organs.
Several years ago, the British journal Lancet reported that a female half border collie had developed an obsession with a mole on a woman’s thigh but ignored other moles. In fact, the collie actually tried to bite off the mole when his mistress was wearing shorts. Fortunately, this woman advised her doctor of the dog’s reaction, and the mole was removed. The diagnosis? Malignant melanoma.
A dog’s ability is not limited to spotting colon and skin malignancies. A study published in the journal Integrative Cancer Therapies shows that dogs can also distinguish between patients who have early- and late-stage lung and breast cancer.
So what do dogs have that’s lacking in cancer specialists? Harry Truman, the plain-speaking U.S. president, hit the nail on the head when he said, “If you want a friend in Washington, buy a dog!”
In addition to unconditional love, dogs have a highly developed nose for sniffing cancer. The dog nose contains 220 million cells that can detect odors compared to a mere 5 million cells in humans.
Dr. Larry Myers, associate professor at the Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine, says a dog’s smell is so sensitive it can smell either a single chemical or a combination of them.
This ability is not limited to Labradors. Myers adds that bloodhounds are known to use their noses for hunting criminals. And he’s tested miniature poodles that could give bloodhounds a run for their money.
So is it colonoscopy or Fido to diagnose colon cancer?
Currently there are not enough trained dogs to give colonoscopists a run for their money. For me, if a dog’s available, I’m going to see the dog. After all, no colonoscopy expert can match that 98 percent accuracy.
Besides, isn’t a Fido sniff test preferable to colonoscopy? And if Fido tells me there’s no malignancy, you can be sure he or she will receive more than a tennis ball for a reward.
Dr. Gifford-Jones is a medical journalist with a private medical practice in Toronto.
His website is DocGiff.com He may be contacted at Info@docgiff.com
