Israeli startup SpotItEarly is developing an innovative at-home cancer screening test that combines the extraordinary olfactory abilities of trained dogs with advanced artificial intelligence. Users simply breathe into a specialized mask and send the sample to the lab, where trained dogs sniff it for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) indicating the presence of cancer. The AI platform, LUCID, analyzes the dogs’ physiological and behavioral responses to detect cancer with high accuracy—up to 94% in recent clinical trials. The goal is to enable earlier and less invasive cancer detection, improving survival rates and reducing costs. Expected to launch in 2026 at $250 per test, SpotItEarly also plans to work with insurers to make the test more accessible. Dogs work only a few hours daily, are treated exceptionally well, and are adopted into loving homes after retirement. While initially focused on cancer, the technology may also be used in the future to detect other illnesses like Parkinson’s and infections, ultimately transforming healthcare from reactive to proactive care.
June 5, 2025/
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