Canine Olfaction Detection of Human Breast Cancer by Breath Samples V1

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A Double-Blind Study Evaluating the Sensitivity and Specificity of Canine Olfaction in the Detection of Human Breast Cancer from the Odour of Human Breath Samples

• IRAS ID

  137409

• Contact name

  Claire Guest

• Contact email

  claire.guest@medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Medical Detection Dogs

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  N/A, No suitable register exists

• Research summary

  The purpose of this study is to demonstrate that dogs can be trained to detect breast cancer from the odour of breath samples taken from women who have breast disease (no cancer or cancer) and from healthy people without breast disease in order that further research can be undertaken to improve diagnosis.

  Cancer cells produce chemicals that pass out of the body via breath, sweat, or urine. Different types of cancer produce different chemicals that give it a distinctive smell (“odour signature”). Dogs have a highly specialised sense of smell and are able to detect these cancer odours (smells). With the proper training, dogs can be taught to identify the “odour signature”.

  Medical Detection Dogs charity has successfully carried out research studies using specially trained sniffer dogs to smell urine samples and identify samples from people with bladder cancer.

  This study will recruit a total of 1600 participants, each providing up to five breath samples. Breath samples will be collected from three groups:

  1. Female patients diagnosed with breast cancer. Aged 18 years and above.
  2. Female patients diagnosed with non-malignant (no cancer) breast disease. Aged 18 years and above
  3. Female healthy volunteers. Aged = 18 years and = 30 years

  Patients will be recruited from breast clinics; healthy volunteers will be recruited from the general public.

  Stage 1. Dog Training.
  First, dogs will be trained to identify the “odour signature” by using sets of breath samples across all three groups of participants. Once the training phase has completed the next stage is the testing phase.

  Stage 2. Testing Phase.
  Breath samples from patients not previously exposed to the dogs, who are diagnosed with breast cancer and patients diagnosed with non-malignant (no cancer) breast disease, will be used to measure the dog’s ability to detect breast cancer.

• REC name

  North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  14/NW/1115

• Date of REC Opinion

  10 Jul 2014

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion