Purpose.    To investigate if there is any science, in dogs smelling cancer.

Methodology.   In June 2010 French researchers reported dogs as correctly smelling prostate cancer in the urine of 63 out of 66 patients. Dogs have a sense of smell reported to be at the level of parts per trillion (ppt).

An ethics approved study was performed on urine samples collected from men before and three months after their radical prostatectomy and with their post-operative PSA levels recorded at < 0.04.  All samples were kept frozen until gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (CG-MS) analyses were performed, for the detection of volatile organic compounds.(VOC)  A further three control samples were also analyzed, including a newly diagnosed primary bladder cancer patient, secondly a prostate cancer patient on active surveillance and thirdly a sample of Geelong water. All the samples were blinded to the testing laboratory.

Results.  The paired urine samples revealed very interesting differences in the CG-MS profiles of the emitted VOC’s, pre and post surgery.  The reported level of detection was down to parts per billion (ppb).

The three control samples provided interesting and contrasting results. Identification of the graphic peaks of interest, are being performed.

Conclusions.  The paired urine samples revealed differences in the CG-MS analysis profiles of the VOC’s, pre and post surgery.

Identification of the volatile organic compounds of interest, may provide a pointer towards a prostate cancer test.

There were sufficient changes in the VOC’s following surgery, to encourage further study.

This study may provide a scientific background for the French dog study.