Can dogs smell cancer in humans? Bengaluru founders says with AI, dogs can detect seven cancer symptoms with 90% accuracy

Can dogs become a cancer detector? According to two Bengaluru founders, they can, especially with a bit of help from AI. A simple breath test, powered by artificial intelligence and the almost supernatural smelling sense of dogs, may be able to detect cancer before symptoms appear. A Bengaluru-based startup called Dognosis is exploring the possibility with an innovative technology that combines canine scene detection skills, biometric sensors and AI-powered analysis to identify cancerous growth of seven cancers. A 2026 study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology said that this method has promising results in 90.8% sensitivity and 91.3% specificity. The cancers include head and neck, breast, lung and thoracic, gynaecological, upper and lower gastrointestinal, and genitourinary cancers. The sensitivity of early-stage cancers was an impressive 90.6%.

How AI & Canine Can Detect Cancer?

According to My Startup News, an individual will get into cotton surgical masks for 10 minutes. The masks are then sealed and sent to the central laboratory, where the dogs evaluate each sample.

Co-founded by Akash Kulgod and Itamar Bitan, Dognosis is working on a non-invasive technology designed to help assess potential cancer risks at an early stage.


The startup has secured funding from several venture-capital firms, including Accel India, Boost VC, 1517 Fund and Caffeinated Capital. It plans to introduce an at-home breath-based test in India to screen for multiple types of cancer before symptoms emerge. The test could launch in 2027, with an expected price of a few thousand rupees.

Can Dogs Smell Cancer In Humans?

Believe it or not, yes. According to Medical News Today, cancers leave odour signatures in the body or secretions. Cancer cells produce and release these signatures. These odours can be found in substances called volatile organic compounds.

How Early Detection Can Improve Survival Rates

According to oncologist Dr Vijay Anand Reddy, detecting cancer during stage one, increases five year survival rate to over 90% across major cancers such as breast, colorectal and cervical. When tumours have not spread, they can be removed via surgery or radiation therapy without having to rely on high dose chemotherapy.