Cecy Gallegos from California shared her experience where her Chihuahua-Maltese mix, Buddy, seemed to detect her breast cancer before she was officially diagnosed in November 2022. Despite initial mammograms showing only dense tissue, Buddy's unusual behavior, like sadness and frequent sniffing of her breast, led Gallegos to persist with further tests. These eventually confirmed her cancer, which had already spread to her lymph nodes.

Bela is a six pound deer head chihuahua who identified breast cancer in her guardian, Alexander, in Spring 2023.

Bela first identified the medical diagnosis by continuously smelling, pawing and even jumping on the left side of his chest where the cancer was ultimately discovered. Bela’s persistence, over a period of several weeks, resulted in manual identification of a lump and referral by a general practitioner. Following an ultrasound, mammogram and biopsy, Alexander was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer and was successfully treated in July 2023. He was blessed with early detection, and quick diagnostic testing, referral and treatment by a skilled surgeon and care team. Of course, he was also blessed with a “medical dog”.

Dr. Claire Guest, an animal behavioral psychologist, discovered the remarkable cancer-detection abilities of her Labrador, Daisy, in 2009. During a walk, Daisy exhibited unusual behavior by repeatedly nudging Claire's chest, which led Claire to discover an early-stage cancerous lump. This personal experience validated Claire's belief that dogs could detect cancer through their acute sense of smell.

Claire's research initially faced skepticism but has since gained traction. Her charity, Medical Detection Dogs, now trains dogs to identify cancer in urine and breath samples with 93% accuracy. This method is being considered as a supplementary tool for cancer screening, potentially reducing the need for invasive tests and saving lives.

The success of Daisy and other trained dogs highlights the potential for integrating canine olfactory detection into medical practices, offering a non-invasive, highly accurate means of early cancer detection. Daisy’s story is documented in the book “Daisy’s Gift: The remarkable cancer-detecting dog who saved my life”.

When Shannon Ferguson opened her thrift store, the first dog to visit was a dachshund named Coco Bean, who belonged to a local resident, Jimmy Lapointe. Shannon quickly bonded with Coco Bean and Jimmy, forming a strong friendship. Amidst her struggles with exhaustion and ignoring a concerning physical change, Shannon noticed a dent on her breast but chose to focus on her new business and family life.

During a dinner at Jimmy and his wife Ingrid's home, Coco Bean showed unusual behavior by staying close to Shannon and sniffing her breast intensely. This prompted Shannon to acknowledge her concern, leading her to seek medical attention the following day. The diagnosis revealed early-stage breast cancer, which was caught in time thanks to Coco Bean's intervention.

Shannon credits Coco Bean with potentially saving her life and is deeply grateful for the dog's intuitive actions. The experience, while challenging, has brought a positive light into Shannon's life, highlighting Coco Bean’s role as a crucial part of her journey.

Emilie Clarke adopted Mia, a miniature dachshund rescued from a puppy farm, with the hope that she would assist with her health issues, including a serious heart arrhythmia and hearing loss. Mia became a trained assistance dog, helping her by alerting her to medical emergencies and daily tasks.

In November 2011, Mia's behavior took a concerning turn. She persistently nuzzled and licked an area on her left breast, a behavior she usually reserved for injuries. Despite her initial skepticism, she heeded Mia’s warning and visited my GP, insisting on further investigation despite his doubts due to her age.

Her trust in Mia proved correct. An ultrasound and biopsy confirmed grade 2a breast cancer. She underwent surgery and radiotherapy, which disrupted her studies and personal life. Throughout this difficult period, Mia provided essential emotional support.

Oncologists were not surprised by Mia's role in her diagnosis, as the ability of dogs to detect cancer is recognized by organizations like Medical Detection Dogs and Cancer Research UK. While the cancer had not spread, she faces ongoing treatment and scans. Despite the challenges, Mia's unwavering companionship remains a source of strength and comfort as she rebuilds her life.

It all begins with an idea.

Claire Churchill, 36, adopted a rescue dog named Holly in 2019. Shortly after, Holly became fixated on Claire's left breast, constantly sniffing, pawing, and scratching at it. Claire initially thought Holly was "just weird" but eventually discovered a lump, which led to a breast cancer diagnosis in 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Claire's treatment was delayed, but Holly's persistence likely saved her life. Claire underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, and is now cancer-free. However, she is a carrier of the BRCA gene and will require further surgeries. Claire credits Holly with detecting her cancer and encourages others to adopt rescue dogs, highlighting the special bond and potentially lifesaving abilities of these animals.