Towards the end of 2014, we wrote an article covering recent studies into the canine ability to sniff out cancer in humans.
You can read the full article here, however in brief a study carried out by scientists in Italy has revealed that dogs do in fact have such an ability.
Whether this sense could ever be used in medical practice continues to be a controversial topic.
However, just this week a rescue dog has managed to save his owner’s life after sniffing out a tumor in her breast.
The news story comes from the UK, where a Josie Conlon of Stockton on Tees in the North of England was alerted to the fact she may have cancer after her 2 year old collie named Ted began to cry and paw at her chest.
Her dog did this repeatedly, causing Josie to seek a medical checkup.
Sure enough, cancer had set in, however the grade 3 tumor was caught in time.
After an operation to remove the tumor Josie has just this week been given the all clear.
She was also told that the aggressiveness of her condition would have spread fast if it had not been for the early detection by her dog.
“When I got the results from the hospital and was told the cancer had not spread the relief I felt was incredible and it is all down to Ted.” she said.
“I think a lot of people would probably just push a dog away if it started clawing at their chest, but dog owners should take notice, because Ted really did save my life.” she added.
The news was covered by The Telegraph newspaper in the U.K. The paper has been raising money for the charity Medical Detection Dogs. The charity trains unwanted pets to detect cancer, an incredibly worthwhile cause you will agree.
To donate to the charity you can head to medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk.
[Photo Credits: Paul Kingston / NNP]