DOGS DETECT PROSTATE CANCER IN MEN AT A REMARKABLY HIGH RATE OF ACCURACY Orlando, FL, May 18,2014 – With an accuracy rating of 98 percent, specially-trained dogs were able to smell volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released into urine by prostate tumors, setting the stage for a potentially new means of early prostate cancer detection, according to a new study at the 109th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA). The study by Brian Stork, MD, urologist, West Shore Urology, Muskegon, MI Study Details Researchers at several leading Italian institutions, including Humanitas Research Hospital and Humanitas Castellanza, investigated the level of accuracy at which a highly-trained dog can recognize prostate-cancer-specific VOCs in urine samples. The study consisted of 677 participants who were placed in one of two groups: prostate cancer group (n=320) and control group (n=357). The prostate cancer group included patients with prostate cancer ranging from those at a very-low risk to metastatic. The control group included a diverse cohort of healthy subjects affected by non-neoplastic disease or non-prostatic tumors. Two dogs carried out the testing in an environment free of olfactory interference. Researchers discovered: The two dogs were able to detect VOCs in the urine of study subjects with an accuracy of 98 percent. Sensitivity and specificity for both were 99 percent and 97 percent respectively. Dog one’s rate of accuracy was 99 percent. Sensitivity was 100 percent and specificity was 98 percent. Dog two’s rate of accuracy was 97 percent. Sensitivity was 99 percent and specificity was 96 percent. “These data show analysis of volatile organic compounds in urine is a promising approach to cancer detection,” said Dr. Stork. “The possibility of using dogs to identify cancer is something most would never have considered possible a decade or two ago. It’s an interesting concept that man’s best friend’ could help save your life.”
Posted on: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 18:47:03 +0000
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