Israeli Dogs Detect Cancer from Breath with 95% Accuracy

Cancer leaves invisible clues in human breath long before traditional tests can spot it, and now trained beagles in Israel are learning to read those clues with stunning accuracy.

Israeli company Spot It Early has developed a cancer screening test that combines canine scent detection with advanced technology to identify lung, prostate, breast, and colorectal cancers. The process is remarkably simple: patients breathe normally into a specially designed mask for three minutes at home, then mail it to a lab where trained beagles analyze the sample.

The science behind it is fascinating. Human breath contains over 1,000 volatile organic compounds that reflect what's happening inside our bodies. Certain cancers create distinct odor patterns through these compounds, and dogs possess extraordinary sensory abilities that allow them to detect these cancer-related signatures almost instantly.

But this isn't just about a dog's nose. The company pairs biological sensing with sophisticated data analysis, monitoring hundreds of physiological and behavioral signals from the dogs in real time. Proprietary algorithms then analyze those responses to determine whether the scent patterns match cancer markers.

The accuracy results are promising. According to company-conducted clinical trials, the system achieved a 94.8% accuracy rate in detecting cancer.

Dr. Shai Melcer, head of the Bio-convergence program for TELEM, Israel's National Infrastructure Forum for Research and Development, explained the significance during a press briefing in Tel Aviv. The cancers this test targets are often diagnosed too late for full recovery, making early detection critical.

Beagles have long been used to detect tiny amounts of volatile compounds at airports, sniffing out drugs and explosives. That same biological talent is now being applied to save lives through cancer detection.

Why This Inspires

The Israeli Ministry of Health is partnering on additional clinical trials, with support from the Israel Innovation Authority. The American Food and Drug Administration is closely monitoring the results, recognizing that success could revolutionize cancer detection globally.

Research from the McKinsey Global Institute projects that biology-based innovations like this could generate between $2 trillion and $4 trillion in direct economic impact in Israel between 2030 and 2040. But the real value extends far beyond economics.

The company's vision is ambitious yet attainable: making accurate, affordable multi-cancer screening accessible to everyone from the comfort of home. Early detection dramatically improves cancer survival rates, and this approach could catch cancers before symptoms ever appear.

As Melcer noted, this technology represents just the beginning of what's possible when biology, engineering, and computation converge. "You take the best of the best, combine them, and you save many people's lives," he said.

If clinical trials continue showing strong results, regulatory approval could follow, potentially giving millions of people worldwide a fighting chance against cancer they never knew they had.