New method of cancer detection, dogs will identify by smelling

Diagnosis Cancer Screening Technology: Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup Dignosis is developing a cancer screening technology that can change the way health screening is done in India. The company’s platform named ‘BreathEasy’ is being prepared by combining the smelling ability of dogs and brain-computer interface technology. Its purpose is not to provide definitive treatment for cancer, but to identify people who may be at higher risk of developing cancer, so that they can be sent for further medical examination.

The company plans to launch it commercially in India in early 2027 if the current clinical trials are successful. The biggest feature of this technique is that it will not require any blood test or scan. The person will only have to breathe into a special mask for about 10 minutes, after which his breath sample will be analyzed. Diagnosis believes that in future this test can become a part of annual health checkup and not just after symptoms appear. This can make it easier to identify people at risk at the initial level and further investigation can be done in time.

How does it work?

BreathEasy is based on a scientific principle. When cancer cells grow in the body, they release microscopic chemical molecules called volatile organic compounds, which are exhaled. Dogs have a much sharper sense of smell than humans, so they can detect even these very faint chemical signals. The company primarily uses dogs of the Beagle breed, although other breeds are also being trained. Dognosis claims that its technology does not depend only on the behavior of dogs. For this, a special brain-computer interface has been developed, which records and analyzes the dog’s brain activity while sniffing the sample. This reduces reliance on mere signaling behavior.

The breath sample is tested in the company’s automated platform. According to the company, this system can test more than 200 samples in a single session without any human help. In future, a target has been set to test about 10 lakh samples every year by operating several units simultaneously. Samples can be collected from hospitals, diagnostic labs or other health centers and sent to the testing center.

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Clinical trials are still ongoing

BreathEasy is currently undergoing large-scale clinical trials. The objective of these studies is to find out how accurate and reliable this technology proves to be in real conditions. A study recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that about 9 percent of participants who did not have cancer were mistakenly diagnosed as positive. At the same time, about 9 percent of cancer patients could not be identified.

However, the company says that these figures cannot be directly applied to the general population. The number of cancer patients in the study was deliberately kept high so that the scientific potential of the technique could be evaluated. The proportion of cancer cases in the actual population is very low, so screening results may vary. The current trial is expected to yield data that will better reflect the real situation.

Not a cure, but a means of early screening.

Diagnosis clearly states that BreathEasy is not intended to provide a definitive diagnosis of cancer. It is being developed as a risk stratification or initial screening tool. That means it will identify only those people who may be more likely to get cancer. Such people will later have to undergo conventional tests like imaging, blood-based tests or biopsy. The company believes that this will limit expensive and complex tests to only the needy people, which can also reduce the burden on the health system. Independent experts consider this technology interesting and full of possibilities, but they say that large-scale clinical evidence will be necessary before making it a part of health services. Many questions related to its actual usefulness, large-scale operation and reliability are yet to be answered.

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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.

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