Training dogs to detect breast cancer, a method for screening disadvantaged women in Benin

According to recent data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), breast cancer has surpassed lung cancer to become the most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide. Although incidence is lower in less developed countries, mortality rates are disproportionately high due to late diagnosis and limited treatment options.

Breast cancer presents a major challenge in Benin, with a high mortality rate caused by late diagnoses and the country's minimal screening capacities. In 2022, the Global Cancer Observatory (Globocan) reported 7,497 new cancer cases in the country, of which 4,028 were women. There were 1,329 new cases of breast cancer alone, accounting for 33% of cancers in women and 18% of all cancer cases. Compared to other types of cancer, breast cancer is trending rapidly upwards, followed by prostate cancer (983 cases in 2022) and cervical cancer (810 cases in 2022).

In Benin, breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women, with 734 deaths in 2022, representing 16.2% of all cancer deaths. In 70% of cases, this high mortality rate is down to late diagnosis, which then limits the chances of effective treatment. The result is delays in care, as well as increased mortality rates and higher treatment costs for families and the healthcare system. This economic burden has major social consequences, leading to productivity losses, psychological distress, and increased pressure on caregivers, who are often women, thus perpetuating the cycle of poverty and limiting access to education and employment.

In Benin, the AfriMeDD project is developing an innovative method for early diagnosis of breast cancer, based on canine olfactory detection. This approach relies on dogs' exceptional ability to identify, through their highly-developed sense of smell, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by cancer cells in biological samples (such as sweat or tissue). In partnership with the Nosaïs Institute, the project aims to train dogs and dog handlers locally, while adapting this globally-recognized technology to the specific situation in Benin.

In a country where access to mammogram screening is scarce due to the cost and limited availability of equipment, this innovative method offers a simple, non-invasive, and affordable solution. The research protocol will assess the reliability, sensitivity, and social acceptability of this method, paving the way for its potential inclusion in national public health policies and subsequent roll-out to other countries across the region.

By training dog handlers and implementing a rigorous scientific protocol, the project plans to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of canine detection for early diagnosis of breast cancer in Benin.

The main deliverables are:

• Develop and validate a method for early detection of breast cancer using canine olfaction, tailored to the local context in Benin.
• Establish a multidisciplinary research unit at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Abomey-Calavi, specializing in canine biomedical detection and its potential public health applications.
• Identify volatile organic compounds specific to breast cancer, thus laying the groundwork for development of a rapid detection test in the future.
• Position Benin as a regional center of excellence in canine olfactory biomedical detection and innovative diagnostic technologies.
• Improve early diagnosis rates for breast cancer, particularly among disadvantaged women, and reduce mortality rates through faster detection and earlier treatment.