With over 220 million olfactory cells, the canine nose is over four times stronger than the human nose. This is why dogs have been so helpful to us in search and rescue missions, drug detection, explosive detection and now, even cancer detection.
McBaine is a regal-looking dog with attentive eyes that is part of a research held in the University of Pennsylvania. Researchers say he, and others like him, are over 90 percent successful in identifying the scent of ovarian cancer, found in tissue samples. Discoveries like this sheds new light on a disease that has no effective test for early detection, and kills 14,000 Americans a year. Past studies have found that cancer-sniffing dogs can also detect prostate cancer by smelling urine samples, with 98 percent accuracy. |
There are even examples of this amazing ability in the real world like Max, the dog that smelled his owner's breast cancer. Despite these findings and stories, there is still some skepticism whether this method can be used on a large scale. As a result, most current research is focusing on how to copy the canine ability to smell the disease, either with a machine or a chemical test. When the dogs "smell cancer", what they really smell are the chemicals emitted by the tumor which are called volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. The hope of chemists, doctors and physicists is to create an "electronic nose" to mimic this ability. This method is preferred because using dogs in a clinical setting isn't very practical. In addition, they take a long time to train and their effectiveness can vary from breed to breed, and from dog to dog. |
Even if dogs will never be officially used as medical "cancer sniffers" their ability is still truly remarkable. It's another reminder that they are called "man's best friend" for a good reason. |
If You Love Dogs, Then Avoid Doing These Things With Them
Even though you love your dog, you might be annoying it with some of your habits. Watch to find out more...
18 Smart Ways of Getting Rid of Warts at Home
Warts are a nuisance no one wants to deal with, they can even become cancerous! Find out 18 ways to get rid of them naturally by reading this article!
9 Foods that Directly Affect Our Body Odor
In this article, you can find details about six ingredients that can make your body odor unpleasant, and three more that bring out a nice scent.
How to Tell Your Children You Have Cancer
What's the right way to tell your children you have cancer, and are there situations where you shouldn't?
Why Do We Love Crunchy Food?
Learn about the importance of textures in our food, and a small tip for crunchy fires
7 Natural and Effective Home Remedies for Your Dog
Try out these natural home remedies to treat a range of health issues for your beloved canine companion.
Is There Anything Cuter Than a Golden Retriever Puppy?
What's cuter than a Golden Retriever? A Golden Retriever puppy, of course! You've got to check out this photo gallery, which will melt your heart!
Adorable Cats & Dogs Sure Make My Day!
You can witness hilarious, adorable situations and more in the compilation of funny videos featuring delightful cats and dogs.
Adorable: When Your Babies Have a Cat-Guardian
These video compilation is all about cats guarding their little baby humans.
These Cute Animal Friends Will Brighten Up the Darkest Day
We all want a best friend and some of us are still looking, but these animals have found theirs, and the results are too cute for words.
These 20 Photos Prove that Dogs Make Great Pillows
When you combine kids and dogs taking a nap, you are gifted with a recipe of cuteness.
Adorable: And He Thought He Didn't Like Birds...
A totally cute video about a man who used to hate birds and now has a little cockatoo following him around.
16 Superb Animal Photos to Brighten Your Day
Take a look at these adorable animal pictures because a day without animal shenanigans is a day wasted!
Cute Overload: Time for New Doggie Haircuts!
These cute, cuddly, doggies are so wonderfully furry but they need a hair cut. Click on the dog to see it shorn!
This Baby Lives With Huskies And Their Life is Adorable!
This little girl lives with huskies and it seems as if they are doing a wonderful job raising her!
What Do Our Pets Do When We're Out? An Adorable Answer
What do pets do when you're not home? Why, act naughty of course!
These Dogs Clearly Have Problems Dealing With Their Size...
These dogs have some problems dealing with how big they are... and so do their owners!
Let These Adorable and Funny Puppies Brighten Up Your Day
We tried not to laugh at this cute and funny puppy compilation, but it was just too difficult...
A Sweet Moment: Adorable Kids and Loveable Animals
These kids with pictured with animals are going to make your heart melt away...
Who Says That Cats and Dogs Don't Get Along?
These dogs are determined to make friends with cats... and eventually they succeed.
Labradors are So Much Fun to be Around!
This hilarious compilation brings you the best and funniest from one of the best dog breeds in the world.
Too Cute! 99 Adorable Kittens You'd Happily Take Home
In this collection, you can find 99 adorable cute kitten pictures that are bound to melt your heart the moment you set eyes on them!
Ready for Some Aww-Some? 18 Photos of Baby Animals
Forget everything and enjoy these heartwarming photos of irresistibly cute baby animals.
It's a Cat's World - Just Ask These Hapless Dogs!
Although dogs have a significant weight and muscle advantage, these plucky cats are still ruling the show...
Cuddly, Cheeky, and Goofy - 25 Charming Ginger Cats!
These 25 pictures show the majestic ginger cats in all of their glory.
Animals Can Really Be Great Team Players Sometimes...
Teamwork often gets things done much more quickly and easily, and these animals seem to be clued in to that fact! Take a look at these 15 photos.
These Photos Prove Running Brings Out the Best in Dogs!
A dog photographer has captured photos of dogs on the run, showing their unabashed joy and happiness in the most heartwarming way possible.
Dog Lovers, You're Going to Agree With Every Word...
There are so many beautiful stories about man's best friend.
These Cats Just Adore Napping With Their Owners
Cats just love napping with their owners, as you'll see in this next video.
These 23 Hilarious Kitties Have Some Real Cat-titude!
Cats bring so much joy to world because they are both cute and hilarious, in equal measure. These 23 funny kitties will prove just that!
Animals in Sweaters! Can There BE Anything Cuter?
It's winter and our adorable pets need sweaters!
Feeling Down? Let These Adorable Calves Brighten Your Day!
When you think of something cute, a calf is one of the last things that you'd think of. However, as you're about see, they can be incredibly cute too.
These Photos Prove That Cats are Actually Liquid!
These 20 hilarious videos will prove to you that cats are actually made of some type of alien liquid!
Are These the Cutest Puppies Ever Featured on BabaMail?
Although we've featured many cute puppies on our site before, these might just be the cutest ever. Take a look at these 23 adorable puppy pictures.
These Puppies are Facing Their Greatest Enemy: Stairs
Puppies vs. Stairs is probably the cutest things you'll see all week!
These Guinea Pigs Have Nicer Hair Than Most Humans
It's incredible to think there there are some guinea pigs out there that have even better hair than humans, but it's completely true. See these 15 cute pics.
These Pets Are Angry. But Why Do They Look So Cute?
These animals are supposedly angry, but why do they look so irresistibly cute?
Here Are 10 of the Most Unexpected Pets and Their Owners!
Having a pet hedgehog is becoming increasingly common, but we don't see any of these unusual animals becoming popular pets any time soon...
14 Times Lizards Were Caught Being Unbearably Cute
Enjoy this collection of irresistibly cute photos of lizards.
These Animals Rock Their Hats As Well As My World!
These animals are pulling off their fashionable hats in a way I never could. So adorable, you have to see this...
Nothing Gladdens the Heart Like Animals and Their Young!
Like parent, like child, but these animals take this a step further while being adorable!
These Animals Are Having the Worst Hair Day!
These animals' hair troubles will certainly put your own into perspective. No human has ever had hair as silly as this, have they?
All These Pets Want to Do is Be with Their Owners
If our pets could spend 24/7 with us, they most probably would. These photos prove it.
Only Mommy Bears Know How to Deal with These Cuddly Cubs
There is no relationship bigger than that between mother and child, and this is so beautifully illustrated by these wild bears. Prepare for cuteness!
These Animals Are All So Happy to See You!
These animals all possess something endearing.
Cats Are the Best Alarm Clock, No Doubt.
Who needs a phone when there is such a better way of waking up?