The researchers attempted to discover whether or not ill humans emitted a specific olfactory signature. Including smells that our sense of smell cannot perceive. To do this, they successfully exploit the dogs' sense of smell. They have shown that task-trained dogs are able to detect smells characteristic of specific diseases.
They can now recognize breast, colon, or lung cancer just by taking patients' breaths. Dogs also detect sugar changes in the sweat or breath of their diabetic owners. In these specific cases, these particular odors are not necessarily irritating or detectable to humans, but are well recognized by dogs and are valuable clues regarding the prevention or identification of a health problem.
Dogs are definitely our most loyal and surprising friends!
