Amidst the Pink October awareness campaigns, an innovative approach stands out in the fight against breast cancer: the use of trained dogs to detect the presence of cancerous cells at an early stage. With their keen sense of smell, these pets have proven to be true allies in early diagnosis of the disease.
The KDOG Brasil Project, launched in 2018 in partnership with the Franco-Brazilian Society of Oncology (SFBO) and supported by Royal Canin Brasil, is based on research and methodologies developed in France. The initiative offers a non-technological and non-invasive alternative for breast cancer diagnosis, relying on specific odors emitted by the human body, without involving direct contact between the animal and the patient.
Using dogs from breeds like the Dutch Shepherd, German Shorthaired Pointer, and German Shepherd, as well as mixed-breed dogs, the project utilizes canine odorology, a technique where animals are trained to identify specific odors associated with cancerous cells on sweat swabs. This method can detect over 40 types of breast cancer, as well as diabetes and the Covid-19 virus, demonstrating the transformative power of collaboration between humans and animals.
“The partnership with the KDOG Brasil Project reflects our commitment to promoting health and the real benefits of human-animal interaction. This initiative shows the importance of pets in our lives and for human health, particularly for the early diagnosis of breast cancer. Thanks to the keen sense of smell of trained dogs, it is possible to accelerate diagnosis and consequently treatment,” says Carla Pistori, Director of Corporate Affairs at Royal Canin Brasil.
The training is conducted by a multidisciplinary team of doctors, oncologists, and veterinarians. Through a rigorous olfactory memorization process, the animals detect imperceptible changes in the patients’ odor, even before tumors are identified by traditional methods. This approach offers a complementary solution to conventional diagnostics, especially in areas with limited medical infrastructure.
“With proper training, dogs can identify minimal changes in odor that indicate the presence of cancerous cells, even before traditional tests detect the tumor. The biodetection work has an average accuracy of 98%, scientifically proven and following KDOG France’s standards,” emphasizes Leandro Lopes, the Responsible Canine Technician for the KDOG Brasil Project.
The project’s goal is to train more animals and expand support for the Unified Health System (SUS), with the expectation of benefiting more patients throughout the country.
Photo: Caleb Fisher / Unsplash | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
