Using dogs to sniff out OC

I've heard of this in relation to other cancers. Interesting that they're now trying it out with Ovarian. cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57...

Linda

[Hidden]

Hi Linda,

It is interesting isn't it? My sister's husband died of bone cancer which the doctor didn't pick up on...but their dog (Reg) wouldn't leave him alone he sat staring at him for hours...my brother in law kept telling him to go away..but there he sat staring and sniffing they didn't discover that he had cancer until after his death...I must say that when I visited my sister.. Reg was a bit like that with me... but I knew I had cancer and wondered whether it was in my imagination..but I think there is something in it...Thank you for posting this...interesting...

Love x G x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I forgot to mention my sister in law (husband's sister) had a cat that kept licking her leg in the same place (an old cat) which was unusual behaviour... not having done that before ...when she went to see about it...she had an early skin cancer on her leg

So there are other animals that pick up things too...love x G x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Wow, those are 2 really interesting examples Gwyn. I wonder If anyone else has cases like this to report.

Love L xx

[LouiseOvacome My Ovacome Team]

Hi Linda,

Its an exciting idea isn't it?

We have been in conversations with the charity Medical Detection Dogs since I met them at Crufts last year. They are interested in identifying ovarian cancers as there is already some interesting results coming out from the USA.

We have introduced them to some UK researchers and they have done some presentation to research teams as a consequence.

I will ask them for an update and post.

Louise

[Hidden in reply to LouiseOvacome]

Thanks Louise. It would be really interesting to hear about developments.

Linda

[Jan76]

Thanks Linda .....

Mans best friend is indeed a best friend if you think of all the ways a dog can be trained to help us mere humans and with some remarkable results !

Love Jan xxxx

[Hidden in reply to Jan76]

In one way it's amazing but in another its just a further example of how limited the 5 human senses are!

Love L xx

[willow123]

My parents dog kept obsessively sniffing my tummy and we never thought anything of until the tests came back as a borderline ovarian tumor.

Louise x

[Hidden in reply to willow123]

It would be interesting to see if the dog demonstrated the same behaviour with anyone else with cancer.

Linda x

[ChrisH]

I remember reading about a hospital cat that used to go round all the wards, the nurses used to watch the cat, because it always went to someone that was about to die and curled up with them purring all he time until they did. Thu nurses knew to get the relatives in when the cat settled, if someone tried to shut it out, it kicked up a fuss outside the door. They didnt know how it could tell, an would ignore people they thought were much worse.I can't think of many things more comforting that a cat's purr, it's such a friendly, relaxing sound

Chris

[Hidden in reply to ChrisH]

What an amazing story Chris. I can't imagine a cat in a hospital now. Shame really.

Linda xx

[Archiebanana]

Hi Linda

Very interesting article! Animals are quite amazing and pick up allsorts. My dog is always aware when I am unhappy and wants to cuddle up to me, but unfortunately as far as the OC was concerned been no use whatsoever lol....never alerted me to anything! I love him all the same!

Love Linda xx

[Hidden in reply to Archiebanana]

Ah we'll, I'm sure he earns his keep with love and loyalty.

Linda xx

[Archiebanana in reply to Hidden]

He certainly does! xx

[wendydee in reply to Archiebanana]

My cat always used to purr and put his nose near my face when I had a migraine. He was my constant companion when I was getting over my op and he seemed to know when I was feeling ill. I had no idea I had OC before I was diagnosed, so I don't really remember if he was unusually attentive before I found out what was wrong. I wouldn't be surprised though ... Very interesting area of research. There is so much we don't know ..........

Love Wendy xx

[Hidden in reply to wendydee]

It's lovely to think that pets are so sensitive to how we're feeling. Almost makes me reconsider getting a dog, or a cat. Dogs have owners , cats have staff, have to think about which role suits me best. LOL

Linda xxx

[LouiseOvacome My Ovacome Team]

Just a funny aside. When my friend was first pregnant the cat wouldn't get off her lap. Kept doing that annoying round and round clawing thing. When trying for a second baby she presented to the GP:

" I think I'm pregnant"

GP - Ah you have done a test?"

" No - The cat's gone nuts again"

Yep she was......

Who'da thunk it?

I'll keep you posted on any developments - Might be a few weeks though - Got a thing with Parliament next week .....

[Hidden in reply to LouiseOvacome]

Ah yes. Heavy on the schmoozing and ego-massaging with those MPs and let's hope for some results. (Cynical, moi?!)

[sharonc59]

My dog used to sit and stare at me for ages. She would put her head on my lap just looking up at me. It unnerverved me and i'd tell her to go away and she would move but continue to just stare all the time. Maybe she knew. After my surgery she would lie at the side of the sofa or the bed..or wherever i was..constantly shadowing me..bless her. I do believe dogs can sense these things x

[Hidden in reply to sharonc59]

Hi Sharon

With so much anecdotal evidence it's going to be really interesting to see what the formal research finds... And if there's any way they can use it in a clinical setting.

Linda xx

[zuzana]

I believe that my dog sensed when something was happening. He (Noodle)saved me when I was pregnant. One night i had fallen in the toilet. Noodle went to wake my husband,he barked and run in and out of the room.

about 2 months before i was diagnosed with cancer, my father in law said that noodle is very much tied to me and watching every my step. I just said because "it's my boy"! Then i realised he sensed there is something wrong with me.... even now he is keeping my feet warm :):)

Reply to this

[Hidden in reply to zuzana]

That seems very consistent with the other stories. Don't you ever wonder what dogs would say if they could only talk?!

L xx

[SueH1]

I have met staff at a leading company that use sniffer dogs and they mentioned they did work with cancer. They said they can be trained to do this, it wasn't OC but got the impression it just depends on the samples they are trained to. These dogs normally sniffed explosives and drugs etc. The cancer trial they did sniffed the urine I think.