These dogs have been specially trained to detect prostate cancer with an accuracy rate of up to 93 percent - much higher than current testing methods.
As reported by the Daily Mail (8/8), cancer screening done by this dog will be available to men for free, at least in two locations in the UK within three years.
This exercise involves nine dogs including six labrador, two spaniels and Hungarian vizsla, they have undergone six months training to detect the smell of cancer.
They will assess a sample of 3,000 patients to check for prostate cancer, as well as kidney and bladder tumors. When they suspect the sample is cancerous, they have been taught to sit upright, still and alert. Conversely, if a given sample is not cancer, they will just pass through it.
The trial is being run by the internationally renowned charity, Medical Detection Dogs and Milton Keynes Hospital - NHS. The researchers hope this will prove that dogs are far more effective in detecting prostate cancer than the standard screening that medical scientists rely on today.
