Dogs Outperform CT Scans
The study involved five canines who had been taught to recognize lung and breast cancer from human-breath samples. They were able to correctly spot breast cancer 88% of the time and lung cancer with 99% accuracy—rates that compare favorably to chest X-rays, CT scans, and mammography.
Next step: Can an electronic nose built by NASA do just as well?
Full article on dogs that sniff out disease.
Why do I suspect that the dog is a whole lot cheaper than the electronic nose?
Tom, the dog is probably also a whole lot cheaper than the Xray machine, the CT scanner, etc.
The dog probably also costs a whole lot less than the $6,000 robo seal.
For many years the popular term for CT scanner was “cat” scanner. There is also a PET scanner. Maybe someday we will have a “dog” scanner.
I have read similar articles in other publications. This appears to be promising research that should not cost a paw and a (hind) leg. I wonder why it has not been pursued more aggressively — especially before the advent of digital imagery.
It’s always a lab that’s doing the good work. They’re great animals. Too bad their life span is so short relative to other dogs (and humans).
You cant make much money off using a dog to detect cancer, but you can sure make a lot using any of the above mentioned types of scanning medical devices
Rick, that’s only because the AMA and Medicare don’t have a CPT code for dog sniffing. If they did, you could make a lot of money off the dog.